Fairfax County Police Department News

The following release is from the Office of the Fairfax Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Fairfax County, VA – Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano today announced that Juan Oliva-Ruiz, 19, and Shantica Tillery, 23, were indicted by a grand jury on three felony counts each for the death of their 11-month-old, who overdosed on fentanyl in June 2022. They were each indicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter, child cruelty resulting in serious injury, and child abuse and neglect.

Police responded to the couple’s Alexandria residence on June 21, 2022 after Tillery noticed her baby wasn’t breathing; the child was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The child allegedly obtained a fentanyl pill that was out on the floor. The abuse and neglect charge pertains to the couple’s other child, who was removed from the home following the incident.

If convicted of all counts, Oliva-Ruiz and Tillery would each face up to 25 years in prison.

“Tragic doesn’t quite describe a scenario where an infant dies of an overdose. Across the country we have seen far too many people lose their life to opioids. This death was preventable and the results heartbreaking. Thank you to our officers and detectives who investigated this case and continue to work tirelessly to remove these dangerous drugs from our community,” Chief Kevin Davis. 

*We know that fentanyl overdoses are on the minds of our community members, and our office is working closely with law enforcement to prevent future tragedies like this one,” CA Descano said, *The death of an innocent baby in this case Is unspeakably tragic.

A court date will be set on March 23. A criminal indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.