A California mother has been charged with killing her 20-month-old daughter after a suspected fentanyl overdose in late July.
The victim was named “Baby Z.” Court Documents The baby, photographed by KSBW, was brought to Santa Cruz Hospital by his mother, Korisa Woll, on July 28.
By the time Wall arrived at the hospital, her daughter had already died of a drug overdose, and she was arrested that same day.
At the time, Woll was only charged with two counts of child abuse and tampering with evidence, but prosecutors added a murder charge at his arraignment on Wednesday.
Baby Z’s grandmother, Shelley Brown, told the outlet that prosecutors made the right decision.
“It looks like they’re going to make an example of her and charge her with second-degree murder, which is the correct charge. I just feel sorry for her and I pray for her. I ask for prayers for Corisa,” Brown said.
According to Santa Cruz police, Woll had been visiting a friend at a local homeless shelter with her daughter and 4-year-old son when the toddler died.
“Ultimately, she had a responsibility to care for her child and she failed in that responsibility by exposing her child to an unsafe environment, likely exposing or coming into contact in some way with fentanyl and cocaine, which led to her overdose and death,” police spokesman John Bush said.
Brown said her son, Baby Z’s father, died of a drug overdose in April.
“But somehow drugs got their hold on them and they took my granddaughter’s life. We are all saddened by this. Drugs make people do really stupid things,” the grieving grandmother said.
Wohl is being held without bail in the Santa Cruz County Jail, according to KSBW.
Her family said she is currently under watch for a possible suicide attempt.
