Detroit, MI – A 42-year-old Detroit woman has been sentenced to up to 40 years in prison after her 4-year-old son died from fentanyl exposure in what prosecutors described as a tragic but avoidable case of drug-induced negligence.
Child Given Drugs, Died of Cardiac Arrest
Chavon Caprice Boone, 42, was sentenced on August 26, 2025, to 22 to 40 years in prison for giving her son drugs while the two were alone in his bedroom. The child suffered cardiac arrest and died at their home in Detroit.
Boone pleaded guilty on July 30 to charges related to the death. The court heard emotional testimony from the victim’s family during sentencing as per reports.
Family Devastated by Loss
The child’s father did not attend the sentencing, with prosecutors noting he has been emotionally overwhelmed and breaks down in tears during phone calls. An uncle from the father’s side gave a statement in court, speaking about the deep loss the family continues to endure.
“The life of an innocent and defenseless baby has been taken away, and as parents, we are supposed to be the number one protectors of our children,” the uncle said.
He also revealed that the family has no grave or memorial to visit, as the child’s body was donated to science, a decision the family believes was made without their input.
Disputed Claims About Body Donation
Boone’s attorney, Wendy Barnwell, clarified that Boone had no control over the body’s donation. She said Child Protective Services (CPS) had already terminated Boone’s parental rights by the time of the child’s death.
Barnwell emphasized Boone’s lack of prior criminal history and argued for leniency, citing her client’s extensive drug use, deteriorating mental health, and eventual confession to police.
“Sleepless nights led to the worst decision a parent can make,” Barnwell said. “She made that mistake, came clean about it, called the police, and she’s sitting here.”
Boone Breaks Her Silence
Though Boone was silent for most of the hearing, she spoke briefly before sentencing.
“I didn’t do anything on purpose,” she said, tearfully. “I loved my son with all my heart.”
Despite this, the judge emphasized the broader impact of the case, calling it “sadly unique” and referencing the proverb “it takes a village to raise a child.”
“In this case, it took a village to cause the demise of the child,” the judge remarked.
Sentence and Background
Boone received credit for 830 days already served in jail. She will serve her sentence in the Michigan Department of Corrections.
The case has stirred emotional conversations about addiction, child safety, and systemic failures. Boone’s defense pointed to a history of drug abuse, influenced in part by the child’s father, and mental breakdowns in the days following her son’s death.
A Painful Reminder of Hidden Crises
This case highlights the dangers of unaddressed substance abuse within households and the vulnerable position of children in such environments. Despite legal proceedings offering closure, the emotional scars remain deep for the surviving family members.
What are your thoughts on how the system handled this case? Should more be done to prevent drug-related child deaths? Share your opinion in the comments.
