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SPRINGVILLE — A couple who lived in what police called a "drug culture" in Springville, was arrested Wednesday after the woman's baby died.
Nicholas Wade Boyd, 31, was booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of child endangerment resulting in death. Kaylee Michelle Rhoades, 27, was arrested for investigation of child endangerment. Both were also booked for investigation of drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.
On Wednesday, Rhoades called 911 to report her 1-year-old daughter was not breathing and did not have a pulse. First responders took the child to Utah Valley Hospital were she was pronounced dead, according to a police booking affidavit.
When questioned about what she had done that day, Rhoades told police she had visited a methadone clinic, which helps opioid addicts, the affidavit states. Based on that, officers questioned her more about her drug use.
She admitted to purchasing and smoking fentanyl pills and keeping them in a drawer next to her bed, according to the affidavit. She said she lives with her boyfriend, Boyd.
"When myself and other officers requested permission to search Kaylee's apartment for clues to the death of her baby, Kaylee refused to give consent," police noted. "While questioning Kaylee, myself and other officers observed, in plain view, (drug paraphernalia) right next to the bed where Kaylee and the baby had been sleeping, where Kaylee had described the additional pills could be found. ... The items observed on top of and in the nightstand could have been in reach of a small child."
Police obtained a search warrant to go inside the home, and found "a plethora of drug paraphernalia … throughout the apartment, within easy access to a child. The amount of drug paraphernalia present was evident of drug culture and drug use in the home," according to the affidavit.
While at the hospital, Boyd was asked "if there were any drug-related items within reach of the child at the apartment and he answered, 'Yes,' and then repeatedly said, "It's all my fault!" according to the affidavit.
Autopsy results on the child were pending on Thursday.
