Pickaway County, Ohio — Authorities are searching for a 30-year-old Ohio mother accused in the death of her 17-month-old daughter after an autopsy reportedly found a lethal amount of fentanyl in the toddler’s system.
Brittany Stroud faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, child endangerment and drug possession in connection with the child’s death, according to authorities. Investigators say she called 911 after finding her daughter unresponsive but declined to perform CPR before leaving the scene in a red Jeep Compass.
Her mother, Tammy Stroud, is also facing criminal charges related to the case. The investigation has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the toddler’s final hours and what happened inside the family’s Ohio home.
What Happened When Deputies Responded to the 911 Call?
According to a probable cause affidavit, deputies with the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office and paramedics were dispatched to a residence in the 7800 block of High Street at approximately 11:14 a.m. on October 13, 2026. The call concerned a toddler who was reportedly not breathing.
During the 911 call, Brittany Stroud told that her young daughter was dead. When asked whether she knew CPR, she reportedly responded that it was already beyond that point.
“We’re past that,” she told, according to the affidavit. “She’s purple. Oh my God.”
Another child could reportedly be heard crying in the background and asking what was happening. Stroud also told that she had checked on her daughter earlier that morning and found her lying with her face flat in the bed.
A responding medic later told an officer that the toddler was found unresponsive on a mattress in a rear bedroom. Emergency personnel began CPR and transported the child to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, where she was pronounced dead.
What Investigators Learned About the Toddler’s Final Hours
Investigators examined the family’s account of the evening before the child was found unresponsive.
According to the affidavit, the toddler spent much of the previous evening on the living room floor while family members were home. Tammy Stroud, who reportedly had legal custody of the child under a court order, told investigators that she went to bed while the toddler remained on the floor.
Tammy Stroud also said the child was still on the living room floor when she left for work at approximately 6 a.m. the following morning. Authorities said the toddler was moved to a bedroom sometime after Tammy Stroud left.
Brittany Stroud reportedly told investigators that she checked on her daughter around 7:30 a.m. and heard her snoring before returning to sleep. She said she woke again around 11 a.m. and discovered that the child was not breathing.
The affidavit states that the toddler had reportedly been sleeping on her knees, with her face partially pushed into the mattress, which investigators said may have restricted her oxygen intake.
According to the account, Brittany Stroud turned the child onto her back before leaving the room to call 911. The affidavit says she declined to attempt CPR.
Autopsy Reveals Fatal Amount of Fentanyl
The investigation took a significant turn after an autopsy was performed on October 14 at the Franklin County Coroner’s Office. According to the sheriff’s office, the examination found a lethal amount of fentanyl in the toddler’s system.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that can cause life-threatening respiratory depression. Exposure can be especially dangerous for young children, whose small bodies are vulnerable to the effects of potent opioids.
Authorities have not provided further details in the supplied report about how the fentanyl entered the child’s system. The reported autopsy finding is a key part of the investigation, but the precise circumstances surrounding the exposure remain important questions.
The sheriff’s office subsequently obtained arrest warrants for Brittany Stroud and Tammy Stroud on October 16.
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Mother and Grandmother Face Multiple Charges
Brittany Stroud is charged with involuntary manslaughter, child endangerment and possession of drugs in connection with the toddler’s death.
Her mother, Tammy Stroud, faces charges of complicity to involuntary manslaughter, complicity to child endangerment and complicity to possession of drugs.
Tammy Stroud surrendered to authorities on October 18 and pleaded not guilty at her arraignment the following day. She is being held in the Pickaway County jail on a $250,000 bond.
The charges against both women are allegations, and the criminal proceedings will determine how the evidence is evaluated in court.
Police Search for Brittany Stroud
As of the latest information provided by the sheriff’s office, Brittany Stroud’s arrest warrant remained outstanding. Investigators said she was last seen driving a red Jeep Compass and is known to frequent the Columbus and Franklin County areas.
Authorities have not reported an arrest in the supplied account. The search remains focused on locating Brittany Stroud as the case proceeds.
The investigation continues to center on the toddler’s death, the reported fentanyl finding and the events leading up to the emergency call.
Anyone with credible information about a wanted person should contact the appropriate law enforcement agency rather than attempting to approach or confront the individual.
What are your thoughts on this case and the circumstances surrounding the toddler’s death? Share your views in the comments, and keep the child’s family and everyone affected by this tragedy in mind.
