AKRON, Ohio — A mother and grandfather will each serve 2 1/2 years in prison for their roles in the 2022 fentanyl poisoning death of a 2-year-old Akron girl.
Officials tell 3News 24-year-old Kayera Lenoir and 58-year-old Timothy Lenoir learned of their punishments Monday morning from Summit County Common Pleas Judge Christine Croce. Kayera Lenoir had previously pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and misdemeanor child endangering charges, while Timothy Lenoir admitted to felony child endangering as part of a deal that saw homicide charges against him dropped.
Kayera's daughter, Valentina Lenoir, died on Oct. 27, 2022, after ingesting illicit drugs containing fentanyl. Her death was officially ruled a homicide three months later, but it wasn't until October of 2023 that both Kayera and Timothy Lenoir were arrested in connection with the case. According to the original indictment, Valentina's death "was the proximate result of Kayera Lenoir and Timothy Lenoir committing or attempting to commit the felony offense of Endangering Children."
