Couple sentenced to prison for 2020 fentanyl death of 15-month-old | Spokane News

YAKIMA, Wash. – A couple will spend time in federal prison for their connection to the fentanyl death of a child, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington.

Samantha Marie Tainewasher, 39, of Wapato, was convicted on one count each of manslaughter and Use of a means of communication in the commission of a drug crime.

His partner, Calvin James Hunt, 52, of Toppenish, will spend two years in federal prison on one count of involuntary manslaughter, Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and Use of a means of communication during the commission of a drug-related crime.

Both men were convicted on November 16, 2023 following a jury trial and will both spend three years under federal supervision following their release.

Court documents state Yakama Nation Police were called to Tainewasher's home on March 29, 2020, to find a 15-month-old child unresponsive. The child was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, followed by a toxicology report indicating fentanyl was the cause of death.

The FBI took Hunt's phone during the investigation. In a video recorded two days before the incident, methamphetamine, a pill containing fentanyl and drug paraphernalia could be seen on Tainewasher's bed.

Facebook records also showed the two men buying and selling heroin, methamphetamine and pills. Tainewasher had also posted on Facebook acknowledging that his addiction and drug use led to his son's death.

“This case is incredibly tragic and heartbreaking,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref.A 15-month-old child, whose parents are members of the Yakama Nation, ingested a fatal amount of fentanyl while in the care of his mother, who was just feet away. No sentence can replace the loss of life of this young victim. The fentanyl epidemic continues to claim lives and wreak havoc on families from all walks of life. »