The medical examiner determined the probable cause of death was "toxic effects of fentanyl" after finding 27 ng/mL of fentanyl in the 6-year-old's blood

The medical examiner determined the probable cause of death was "toxic effects of fentanyl" after finding 27 ng/mL of fentanyl in the 6-year-old's blood

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The medical examiner determined the probable cause of death was "toxic effects of fentanyl" after finding 27 ng/mL of fentanyl in the 6-year-old's blood

An Oklahoma couple has been charged with murder in connection with their 6-year-old son's fentanyl overdose death in October.

Attorney General John O'Connor on Thursday announced charges against Harold Belton and Grashaunda Brooks.

Around 5:45 a.m. Oct. 4, Belton took his son to the emergency room. Authorities said medical staff noted that the boy did not have a pulse when he arrived, and they believed he had been dead for an hour or more.

Belton told Oklahoma City police detectives that his son told him he did not feel well the night before. A news release says Belton got in bed with the boy, fell asleep and woke up around 2-3 a.m. because he felt something wet on his shoulder.

Belton told detectives the boy was unresponsive and had mucus coming out of his nose and mouth, according to a news release. The boy's head drooped over when Belton tried picking him up.

The medical examiner determined the probable cause of death was "toxic effects of fentanyl" after finding 27 ng/mL of fentanyl in the 6-year-old's blood, authorities said.

While executing a search warrant, Oklahoma City police officers and detectives found three blue tablets in a pill bottle labeled for Brooks hidden inside a barbecue grill. Lab tests determined that the tablets contained fentanyl, authorities said.

Investigators said the tablets were counterfeited to mimic oxycodone, according to a news release.

DEA agents were alerted in April and helped the Oklahoma City Police Department in its investigation. Authorities said agents determined Brooks has been prescribed oxycodone but did not have a prescription for fentanyl.

"I am very saddened by the tragic death of this 6-year-old boy," O'Connor said in the news release. "Fentanyl can be a deadly poison. Illegal fentanyl is affecting not only addicts, but the young and innocent as well. Simply put, these counterfeit pills kill people and destroy families. I appreciate the Oklahoma City Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration for working with my office to ensure that those who illegally possess and sell fentanyl within our community are held accountable.

"We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect all Oklahomans and prosecute those who violate the law.”

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