CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- A 31-year-old Chesterfield mother was charged with murder in the November 2020 death of her two-year-old son.
The murder charge against Sherrell M. Rivera, 31, of the 8800 block of Jefferson Davis Highway, was filed as Rivera sat in jail charged with felony abuse and neglect of children related to her son Kruz Rivera's death.
Police were called to the Rivera's Jefferson Davis Highway motel room on November 14 after Kruz's was reported to be "unresponsive."
"[Kruz] was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead," a Chesterfield Police spokesperson wrote in an email. "The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner completed an autopsy and toxicology analysis of Kruz's remains. The results revealed that Kruz died as a result of methadone toxicity."
Methadone is a medication typically given to people to help them end their addiction to opioids.
"Methadone is safe and effective, when taken as prescribed. Methadone medication is specifically tailored for the individual patient and is never to be shared with or given to others," the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) posted on its website. "Prevent children and pets from accidental Ingestion by storing it out of reach."
Chesterfield Police did not indicate how the child accessed the methadone nor why it was in his vicinity.
Anyone with information was asked to call Chesterfield Police at 804-748-1251 or Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660.
This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.
