Father in Custody Charged for Fentanyl Death of his 2-Year-Old Daughter
Photo: Stock Image
Written By: Jim Emerson
LIVERMORE — A father in custody stands accused of killing his two-year-old daughter who perished from an overdose of fentanyl. Justin Angel James Pittman, a 22-year-old forklift driver, was arrested last week.
When the toddler’s mother arrived home August 18, she found her child turned purple and not breathing. Police were summoned and officers gave first aid, until paramedics arrived and took over. The child was transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Pittman was his daughter’s caretaker the day she died. Livermore police said in a prepared statement: “During an interview with detectives, Pittman admitted he is a fentanyl addict.” Pittman also acknowledged the child could have been exposed to this powerful drug.
Pittman was arrested in August and released from jail, pending results of autopsy and toxicology reports. These findings concluded that the child had toxic levels of fentanyl in her body when she died.
A warrant was obtained for Pittman’s arrest, and he was taken into custody November 2 at a parking lot in Martinez. He is housed now at Santa Rita Jail ineligible for release on bond, pending a plea hearing November 18.
Six felony charges have been filed against Pittman. His charges include murder, causing willful harm or injury resulting in death, child abuse, among other crimes.
Incidentally, he was arrested in February and charged with battery and corporal injury to a relationship partner. However, these misdemeanor charges were dismissed when no victim appeared in court. In 2021, he was arrested twice for DUI and vandalism.
