Evansville woman draws 25-year prison sentence in toddler's fentanyl-overdose death
Houston HarwoodEVANSVILLE — A Vanderburgh County judge on Friday sentenced an Evansville woman to serve more than two decades in prison in connection with the death of her 3-year-old daughter.
Prosecutors said the toddler overdosed on her mother's fentanyl pills last year.
Makaylee Jade Opperman, 21, pleaded guilty in October to neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a Level 1 felony, and conspiracy to distribute a narcotic drug, a Level 5 felony.
Prosecutors initially charged Opperman with 9 counts, including felony murder, but the state agreed to dismiss most charges in exchange for Opperman's guilty plea.
Original Story:Police: Evansville child dies, 2 others given Narcan after ingesting fentanyl; 6 arrested
On Friday, Vanderburgh County Circuit Court Judge Kelli Fink imposed a 25-year sentence for the neglect charge and a two-year sentence for the narcotics charge.
Before reading Opperman's sentence, Fink described the circumstances of the case as "heartbreaking."
According to the Evansville Police Department, Opperman's daughter, 3-year-old Kamari Opperman, died in October 2021 after ingesting fentanyl pills left inside a nightstand, while two other children survived fentanyl overdoses after receiving Narcan.
In addition to Makaylee Opperman, five other people, including four family members, were arrested in connection with the toddler's death and the two other children's non-fatal overdoses.
In September, a federal grand jury indicted two of the five for allegedly selling the fentanyl pills Kamari Opperman later ingested.
More:Evansville man now facing federal charges after fentanyl killed toddler
More:Evansville woman federally charged in toddler overdose case
Prior to Opperman's sentencing, family members from Alabama travelled to Vanderburgh County to testify on her behalf. They told the court Opperman was a good mother who loved her children.
During the Friday hearing, prosecutors argued Opperman should receive a 30-year prison sentence, citing a combination of aggravating and mitigating factors – such as her lack of adult criminal history. Under Indiana sentencing guidelines, Fink could have sentenced Opperman to serve up to 40 years in a state prison.
Opperman's defense attorney, Jon Humphress, argued his client should receive leniency from the court. She suffered from mental health disorders, he said, and Opperman openly acknowledged her substance abuse was a form of "self-medication."
"It's just a tragic situation," Humphress said. "She is 21 years old, she has no prior felony convictions... she has two other children who need her."
The 911 Call:Evansville child dies after ingesting 'fentanyl pill'; police investigating
Humphress said Opperman was devastated over her child's death, and he asked the court to impose a lighter sentence that would include mental health and substance-abuse treatment.
After hearing arguments from the state and Opperman's defense attorney, Fink ultimately imposed the 25-year sentence. She did acknowledge several mitigating factors, such as Opperman's mental health diagnoses, her continued role as a mother to her two surviving children and her lack of adult criminal convictions.
Opperman remained shackled throughout the hearing. After Fink left the courtroom, Opperman stood up and spoke quietly with Humphress before being escorted out of the room.
Houston Harwood can be contacted at walter.harwood@courierpress.com with story ideas and questions. Twitter: @houston_whh