Tacoma mother charged after 5-year-old son dies from fentanyl overdose in squalid home

TACOMA, Wash. — A mother has been charged with manslaughter after her 5-year-old son died from a fentanyl overdose in a squalid Tacoma home in March.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office said the boy was discovered unresponsive by his mother, identified as Jordan Elizabeth Shank, in the early morning hours of March 13. She reported finding vomit on him and said he was not breathing.

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Despite life-saving efforts by Central Pierce Fire personnel, the child was pronounced dead at 4:33 a.m.

Detectives investigating the scene noted the home was very dirty and in disarray, with no running water and evidence of drug use.

According to court documents, Shank admitted to detectives that she and her boyfriend used fentanyl, and she last used the drug the day before her son’s death. She described herself as an addict and admitted to using fentanyl while pregnant with the victim.

A search of the residence revealed drug paraphernalia and substances that tested positive for methamphetamine.

The toxicology report from the Washington State Toxicology Lab confirmed the presence of fentanyl in the child’s blood.

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The Medical Examiner’s autopsy found no traumatic injuries or chronic infections, but several contusions were noted on the child’s body. The report concluded that the boy died from acute fentanyl toxicity.

Shank was arrested and charged with first-degree manslaughter, driving without a license, and theft by the Pierce County Superior Court on May 10.