5 charged in Duchesne County after 14-month-old toddler overdoses on fentanyl
NEOLA, Utah () — Five people were taken into custody late last week after a 14-month-old toddler overdosed on fentanyl and 'stopped breathing for a substantial amount of time.'
Police say the 14-month-old toddler overdosed on the deadly opioid in a Neola, Utah home on Sunday, Jan. 26, leading to the child being life flighted to Primary Children's Hospital in Lehi. It is unclear what the current condition of the toddler is.
Just over a week later, detectives took the five suspects — identified by court documents as Thomas David Montes, 63; Marcelino Junior Montes, 46; Esperanza Alberta Valdez, 44; Tamra Ann Colonna, 21; Chance Leo Montes, 20 — into custody as part of an ongoing child endangerment investigation. Detectives say all five suspects lived in the same home as the toddler.
A sixth suspect allegedly fled to tribal jurisdiction following the toddler's overdose.
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According to court documents, police found 1,600 fentanyl pills, estimated to have a street value of $20,000 within the home, as well as 18 grams of marijuana, one gram of methamphetamine, suboxone, drug paraphernalia, a 7mm rifle, knives, crossbows, taser, and various rounds of ammunition.
Upon entering the home, deputies detained Thomas, Chance, Tamra, and Marcellino Montes. When asked if anyone else was in the home, they all denied it. When asked where Valdez and the sixth suspect were, Thomas Montes reportedly said they were at another home in Whiterocks. Valdez was later found inside the home hiding beneath a large pile of blankets and pillows.
All five were charged in the Eighth District County of Duchesne County on the following charges:
Thomas David Montes
Distribution of a controlled substance, second-degree felony
Purchase, transfer, possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, third-degree felony
Obstructing justice, Class A misdemeanor
Reckless endangerment, Class A misdemeanor
Possession or a controlled substance, Class A misdemeanor
Possession of drug paraphernalia, Class B misdemeanor
Tamra Ann Colonna
Distribution of a controlled substance, second-degree felony
Reckless endangerment, Class A misdemeanor
Obstructing justice, third-degree felony
Possession of a controlled substance, Class A misdemeanor
Possession of a controlled substance, Class B misdemeanor
Possession of drug paraphernalia, Class B misdemeanor
Marcelino Junior Montes
Distribution of a controlled substance, second-degree felony
Purchase, transfer, possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, third-degree felony
Purchase, transfer, possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, third-degree felony
Possession of a controlled substance, Class A misdemeanor
Obstructing justice, Class A misdemeanor
Possession of a controlled substance in a correctional facility, Class A misdemeanor
Possession of a controlled substance, Class B misdemeanor
Possession of a controlled substance, Class B misdemeanor
Possession of drug paraphernalia, Class B misdemeanor
Chance Leo Montes
Distribution of a controlled substance, second-degree felony
Purchase, transfer, possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, third-degree felony
Obstructing justice, Class A misdemeanor
Reckless endangerment, Class A misdemeanor
Possession or controlled substance, Class A misdemeanor
Purchase, transfer, possession of a dangerous weapon by restricted person, Class A misdemeanor
Possess or use of a controlled substance, Class B misdemeanor
Possession of drug paraphernalia, Class B misdemeanor
Esperanza Alberta Valdez
Distribution of a controlled substance, second-degree felony
Possession of a controlled substance with prior distribution conviction, third-degree felony
Purchase, transfer, possession or use of a dangerous weapon by restricted person, third-degree felony
Purchase, transfer, possession or use of a dangerous weapon by restricted person, third-degree felony
Obstructing justice, Class A misdemeanor
Reckless endangerment, Class A misdemeanor
Possession of a controlled substance, Class B misdemeanor
Possession of drug paraphernalia, Class B misdemeanor
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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