Florida mom arrested in 2-year-old son's death, police say

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A Florida woman was arrested on Thursday for the death of her 2-year-old son, according to police.

What we know:

Melissa Rae Harper, 43, was arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO) on a charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child, according to jail records.

Booking photo of Melissa Rae Harper (Credit: Jacksonville Sheriff's Office)

The backstory:

In March 2024, Harper took her son to an emergency room after telling medical staff that she found him unresponsive, authorities said. The toddler died shortly after.

In January 2025, JSO said a medical examiner’s autopsy later revealed the boy died from a combined drug intoxication of fentanyl and xylazine.

Harper was arrested on Thursday and booked into the Duval County jail where she remains.

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What we don't know:

FOX 35 News is working to learn how the child got a hold of the drugs. 

What is fentanyl and xylazine?

Fentanyl is a powerful opioid, much stronger than morphine, and is used to treat severe pain, especially after surgery, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. 

While it's a legal prescription drug, it is also made and used illegally. Some people with long-term pain may use it if they are tolerant to other painkillers.

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Xylazine, also called "tranq," is a drug used to calm animals, but it’s sometimes added to illegal drugs like fentanyl. People may use it without realizing, and it can dangerously slow breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, officials said. 

The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. 

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