PORTSMOUTH — The mother of a 5-year-old boy who died after consuming fentanyl and heroin pleaded guilty Monday to multiple charges.
Kara Marie Faulkner, 33, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, child abuse, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and child cruelty during a hearing in Portsmouth Circuit Court.
In exchange for her pleas, prosecutors agreed to drop the remaining charges of felony murder, drug possession and concealing a dead body. They also promised to seek no more than six years and four months in prison. No sentencing date was set.
Faulkner was staying at an Airbnb rental on Turnpike Road when she took her son, Carter, to Maryview Hospital on the morning of Dec. 19, 2022, according to a statement read in court by Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Bernadine Gerlach.
Medical personnel found the boy lying on the floorboard of Faulkner’s car, Gerlach said. He was cold to the touch, and already showing signs of rigor mortis, she said.
Faulkner told hospital staff and police that the boy was fine when he went to sleep, but also admitted to having drugs in the apartment and having passed out at some point. Video footage obtained by police showed Faulkner dragging the boy’s body outside and placing it in her car, the prosecutor said.