A Lexington man accused of murder in the fentanyl overdose death of an 18-month-old child nearly four years ago appeared in court Friday after previously refusing to attend his arraignment.
Ka’Darrius Warren was escorted to Fayette District Court by deputies for a preliminary hearing earlier this month after declining to appear as scheduled.
According to police, 18-month-old Cho’zyn Carter Wilson died in August 2022 from a fentanyl overdose while Warren and his girlfriend were babysitting him. Investigators allege the pair were using drugs in the room with the toddler and lost consciousness, later waking to find the child unresponsive.
Detective Benjamin Evans of the Lexington Police Department testified that toxicology results showed a lethal amount of fentanyl in the child’s bloodstream. Although the death was initially ruled accidental, authorities continued investigating after additional witnesses came forward.
One witness told police Warren brought the unresponsive child into a bedroom before leaving the residence. The homeowner reportedly told investigators that Warren and his girlfriend stayed in a back room in exchange for fentanyl and kept the child in the room with them.
Officers said drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine were discovered in the room, and a cellphone believed to have been used by both suspects was taken as evidence.
The case has been forwarded to a grand jury on the murder charge. Warren’s bond remains set at $1 million. Police say the investigation into whether others could face charges is ongoing.