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Aiken Mother Charged with Murder in Baby’s Death from Fentanyl Fumes

The mother of a one-year-old child who died as a result of exposure to fentanyl fumes has been charged with murder in connection with her death. Alexandra Howell was charged…

Alexandra Howell

An Aiken Mother Charged with Baby’s Death

Aiken County Sheriff's Office

The mother of a one-year-old child who died as a result of exposure to fentanyl fumes has been charged with murder in connection with her death.

Alexandra Howell was charged Monday by the Aiken County Sheriff's Office in connection with the January death of Alexavia Aguirre.  Howell, who had been living with her parents on L&L Lane, said she found her baby unresponsive and cold when checking on her while she was napping in a bedroom.  Howell told authorities she placed the baby on the floor near a vent to try to get her warm.   Howell's mother, Marsha, told authorities Alexavia wasn't breathing when she checked on her.

An ambulance was called and paramedics administered CPR.  Alexavia was pronounced dead at Aiken Regional Medical Center.  Emergency crews said they found evidence of fentanyl at the scene.  Howell, who said the fentanyl wasn't around the baby or her other children, was arrested and charged at the time with Possession of Fentanyl.  She was released from custody the following day.

Following an investigation, Howell was taken into custody yesterday and charged with Murder/Homicide by Child Abuse and two counts of Unlawful Neglect of a Child or Helpless Person.

Mary Liz is the News Director and Co-Host of Augusta’s Morning News on WGAC. She spent 11 years as a News Director at an Indiana Radio Station. She has also worked as a former Police and Courts Reporter for The Republic Newspaper and Assistant Marketing Director of Merchants National Bank in Indianapolis. Mary Liz focuses most on local breaking news stories, feature stories on upcoming events, or community-service related organizations and the people who serve them. She has been with WGAC since 1995.