On October 18, 2023 around 8:30 AM, Fremont Police Department officers responded to a local emergency room for reports of a 23-month-old male who was unresponsive and not breathing. The infant was driven to the hospital by his mother, 26-year-old Sophia Gastelum-Vera or Fremont, and other family members. Medical personnel later pronounced the child deceased. Detectives with the Fremont Police Department Crimes Against Person Unit responded to investigate the death.

Investigators say the victim was initially found unresponsive on the morning of October 18 in a bedroom shared with the mother at a residence in the 4300 block of Gina Street in Fremont. Multiple interviews were conducted and a search warrant was served at the residence in question. During the search, investigators say they found evidence of illicit drug use in the bedroom that Gastelum-Vera shared with the child. Lab tests later determined that the presence of fentanyl was found on the items.

Detectives also say that electronic communication devices in Gastelum-Vera’s room showed recent communications about fentanyl use and possession. Toxicology results confirmed the infant had a high level of fentanyl in his system at the time of his death. On November 7, 2023, Sophia Gastelum-Vera was interviewed and arrested before being booked into custody at the Santa Rita Jail.