Tragic Death of Toddler in Augusta Raises Concerns

News Summary

A 16-month-old boy named Trae’son Dunn was tragically pronounced dead due to a suspected methadone overdose. His parents have been taken into custody for questioning, while authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking incident. A second child was placed in protective custody following the situation. The community is left grappling with the implications of drug exposure on children, emphasizing the urgent need for safeguarding minors from such dangerous substances.

Augusta – A 16-month-old boy named Trae’son Dunn was pronounced dead on June 3 at approximately 5:15 a.m. at a residence located in the 2200 block of Ward Avenue in Augusta. Authorities suspect that his death resulted from a methadone overdose, a medication commonly used to treat opioid addiction, and possibly another unidentified substance.

Emergency medical crews were dispatched to the home shortly before 4:10 a.m. after Trae’son’s mother, Genysis Mortley, informed his father, Tristan Dunn, that their son was not breathing. Upon returning home from work at around 10:45 p.m. on June 2, Dunn noticed that Trae’son was missing. The circumstances surrounding the child’s access to the suspected drugs remain unclear, and both parents were taken into custody for questioning; however, no formal charges have been filed against them at this time.

The Richmond County Coroner’s Office has classified Trae’son’s death as “suspicious” and has scheduled an autopsy. The results of this examination are expected to be available in the coming weeks. In addition to Trae’son Dunn, a 3-year-old child present in the home has been placed in protective custody and transported to Children’s Hospital of Georgia for evaluation concerning potential drug exposure.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted collaboratively by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services. Trae’son’s parents have been vocal about their grief on social media platforms, with Mortley appealing for community prayers and sharing tributes for her son.

Drug poisoning deaths among children under the age of five have been increasingly reported, with incidents often involving accidental ingestion of medications or illegal substances that are left within reach. According to information on Georgia law, allowing children access to controlled substances or dangerous drugs through negligence is classified as a felony.

The community is now grappling with the tragic circumstances surrounding Trae’son Dunn’s death. The investigation aims to ascertain how the child gained access to the suspected drugs and to determine any potential accountability surrounding this incident. The tragic nature of such events highlights a growing concern regarding child safety in environments with accessible medications.

As authorities continue to work on the case, they emphasize the importance of safeguarding children from substances that could pose serious health risks. Further updates on the case and the results of the autopsy will likely provide more clarity on the series of events leading to this devastating outcome.

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Additional Resources

• WRDW: Methadone Overdose Suspected in Augusta Death of 16-Month-Old
• Wikipedia: Child Safety
• Augusta Press: Drugs Suspected in Death of Augusta Toddler
• Google Search: Drug Poisoning Deaths Children
• Georgia Sun: 16-Month-Old Georgia Child Dies from Methadone Overdose
• Google Scholar: Drug Overdose in Children
• WJBF: Dead Body Found on Harding Rd in Augusta
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Drug Poisoning
• WRDW: Mother and Son Killed in Augusta Spread Awareness About Gun Violence
• Google News: Child Death Drug Overdose Augusta