Additional Coverage:
- Devastated mother relives moment she found 10-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter dead from fentanyl (themirror.com)
Maryland Mother Loses Two Children to Accidental Fentanyl Overdose
A Maryland mother is grappling with unimaginable grief after losing two of her children to an accidental fentanyl overdose. On January 14, 2024, Kate Jones returned home from work early to discover her 10-year-old son, Gaige, and 14-year-old daughter, Skylar, unresponsive in bed. Their 12-year-old sister, Allyson, alerted their mother that the two hadn’t left their room that day.
Jones immediately called 911 and, along with the children’s grandmother, attempted CPR. Emergency responders were unable to revive the children, who were pronounced dead at the scene.
A small bag containing what was believed to be fentanyl was found near Skylar’s bed. The investigation into the source of the fentanyl is ongoing.
The day before the tragedy seemed like any other. The children had spent a snow day off from school watching movies and went to bed as usual. Gaige often slept in his older sister’s bed, as the two shared a close bond.
Jones described the heartbreak of losing her children. Skylar, her eldest, was her best friend and Gaige was her “mama’s boy.”
She remembers Skylar as a bright and ambitious teenager with dreams of becoming a music producer or interior designer. Gaige is remembered as a vibrant, caring boy who loved dinosaurs.
Tragically, the family experienced another devastating loss just months later. Gaige’s biological father, James Dehaven, died by suicide in November 2024. Although Dehaven had struggled with addiction and depression, Jones stated he was in recovery at the time of the children’s deaths.
Jones hopes her family’s tragedy will serve as a stark reminder to other parents to cherish every moment with their children. She emphasizes the importance of appreciating time with children, noting that tragedy can strike unexpectedly.
Allyson, now 13, is currently in therapy and under the care of Jones and her husband. Jones has channeled her grief into memorializing her children through charitable work. She continues to share her story to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and the importance of cherishing time with loved ones.