BANGOR, ME. – Maine woman pleaded not guilty to endangering the welfare of a child after she allegedly rubbed heroin laced with fentanyl on her 1-year-old daughter’s gums, eventually killing her.
The mother, 33-year-old Kimberly Nelligan, of Bangor, Maine, was arrested nearly a year after the death of her toddler on Tuesday, September 17th. She appeared in court for an arraignment hearing pleading not guilty to child endangerment and drug charges. Paramedics were called to a trailer park where Nelligan’s mother and father resided after the Jordynn, the one year old child fell ill. When they arrived they found Jordynn unresponsive and attempted lifesaving measures. She was rushed to the hospital but she never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead.
The medical examiner’s report had information which includes damning evidence against Nelligan, who could face over 9 months in prison and a fine of up to $3000 if convicted of all charges. The medical examiner’s report said that the cause of death was acute fentanyl intoxication, which was not due to accidental ingestion based on the amount. The report stated that the amount of the drug found in the body of the child could only be a result of being directly ingested.
During questioning Nelligan did admit to using Heroin during the time, but she said she did not give the drug to her child. Shane Smith, Jordynn’s father was also questioned as a result of the investigation. Eventually, over the year of questioning off and on, Nelligan eventually confessed to rubbing heroin on the toddler’s gums. Smith also explained that multiple times she took the residue left on the baggies they used and rubbed it on Jordynn’s gums to help her sleep due to stomach problems. Nelligan called the practice a trick court records stated. When questioned about the practice Nelligan told Smith that it was safe and she used that trick with her three and seven year old children as needed.
Smith has not been arrested at this time. Nelligan was released from jail on her own recognizance but is due in court on November 12, 2019. Meanwhile she was ordered to stay away from children, to have no contact with Smith, to not drink alcohol, and to not use drugs. Nelligan will be allowed to use medical marijuana during her release.
