Amanda Owens Moore : “Mother jailed for fentanyl death of 4-year-old; drug traces on lollipop”

WEST CHESTER — A Common Pleas judge presiding over the cases of two parents whose 4-year-old child died from fentanyl intoxication has agreed with the prosecutor’s recommendation to send the mother, Amanda Owens Moore, to state prison for a shorter term than her husband. First Assistant District Attorney Erin O’Brien requested a two-to-four-year prison sentence for Amanda Moore, which was accepted by Judge Thomas P. “Tip” McCabe.

Despite the plea from Moore’s attorney, Alexander Silow, to keep her in Chester County Prison for a sentence that would see her serve close to two years behind bars, McCabe decided to send her to state prison. This decision was influenced by Moore’s denial of drug abuse at the time of her child’s death and her refusal to cooperate with detectives in determining the cause of death.

Last month, Amanda Moore’s husband, Jason Moore, was sentenced to five to ten years in state prison after pleading guilty to charges of endangering the welfare of a child and involuntary manslaughter. O’Brien cited Amanda Moore’s lack of a prior record in recommending a two-year minimum sentence.

The death of the 4-year-old was described as a “devastating tragedy due to the defendants’ complete failure as parents” by former District Attorney Deb Ryan when announcing the arrests of the Moores. The arrests followed a lengthy investigation by Chester County Detectives, led by Detective Gerald Davis of the D.A.’s Child Abuse Unit.

An arrest affidavit revealed that the child likely came into contact with fentanyl that Jason Moore had brought into the home after purchasing heroin and fentanyl in Coatesville. Both parents were regular drug users, despite Amanda Moore’s repeated denials of drug use.

Court records show that there were seven other children living in the Moores’ home at the time of the 4-year-old’s death.

On November 29, 2022, Caln Township Police responded to an unresponsive 4-year-old at the Moores’ residence. The child was pronounced dead at Children’s Hospital (CHOP) in King of Prussia. Investigators discovered that the Moores had left the child and a younger sibling in the care of a 13-year-old who had to stay home from school because the 4-year-old was unwell.

An initial autopsy did not reveal the cause of death. However, further investigation led to the discovery of fentanyl on a lollipop stick found in the Moores’ bedroom trash can.

Conclusion

The tragic death of the 4-year-old child due to fentanyl intoxication has resulted in legal consequences for both parents. While Jason Moore has already been sentenced to prison, Amanda Moore will also serve time behind bars as per the judge’s decision. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of parental responsibility and the devastating consequences of drug abuse on families.

To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan, call 610-696-1544.