Milwaukee County medical examiner reports 3 child fentanyl deaths since summer

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Some alarming new numbers from the Milwaukee County medical examiner -- three young children died after overdosing on the drug fentanyl since the summer.

The ME reports a 15-month-old boy died in July, a 13-month-old boy in August and a 13-month-old girl died last month.

Although the number of deaths may seem low, the office tell us they've never seen statistics like this before and it is very concerning.

"What's concerning, I think, and it speaks to the prevalence of these substances, is just how readily available they are, both in the community and therefore in some people's homes," said Sara Schreiber of the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office. "They're very dangerous. Fentanyl is an extremely potent narcotic and a very, very small dose can cause death."

Of the child deaths, the ME investigated one as homicide, another as an accident and the third as undetermined. 

The cases are being handled by Milwaukee police.