Grandmother sentenced to 20 years for grandson’s fentanyl death

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A 49-year-old woman has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after admitting she neglected her 2-year-old grandson, causing his death.

Amani Day was found dead in his grandmother’s Indianapolis home on Oct. 20, 2023. An autopsy later determined that Amani died from acute fentanyl intoxication.

Tasha Mulcahy pleaded guilty to the top-level felony in a deal that dismissed other charges against her, including drug charges.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department was called to investigate the boy’s death at his grandmother’s home in the 400 block of East Elbert Street. That’s in a housing addition southwest of the intersection of I-465 and U.S. 31 on the city’s south side.

Mulcahy had become the primary caregiver for Amani after her daughter died earlier in 2023. She told police that Amani had been playing normally before going to bed. When Mulcahy awoke the next morning, she found Amani cold and unresponsive. Despite attempts to revive him, including administering CPR and Narcan, Amani died.

Investigators later asked Mulcahy and other adults in the household to take voluntary drug tests. Mulcahy tested positive for methamphetamine and opioids. A search of the home revealed methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms and drug paraphernalia in Mulcahy’s purse.

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Statement

“The defendant was meant to protect and keep Amani safe from harm but will now have to live with this new reality — serving 20 years in prison because of her role in the events that led to the tragic loss of her grandson.”

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears, a Democrat

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