Carolyn Scott: South Carolina mother arrested as 3-year-old daughter dies from fentanyl and meth intoxication

AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA: On February 5, 2024, Carolyn Scott, a 26-year-old mother residing in Aiken, South Carolina, was apprehended about the demise of her 3-year-old daughter, Riley Scott.

Charges filed against her include murder by child abuse, two counts of children/legal custodian, and unlawful neglect of a child or helpless person.

If convicted, Carolyn Scott could be sentenced to a term ranging from 20 years to life in prison. The tragic incident involving her daughter, Riley Scott, occurred on September 10, 2023, as per Law and Crime.

How did Riley Scott die? 

As per Local news portal WRDW, citing an arrest affidavit, an autopsy disclosed that deputies initiated CPR on Riley upon their arrival at the residence in Jackson.

Following the incident, Riley was transported by ambulance to the Children's Hospital of Georgia in Augusta, where medical professionals declared her deceased.

Carolyn Scott mentioned to deputies that Riley had been sleeping for nearly two hours. When one of Riley's older siblings attempted to wake her, the efforts were unsuccessful, as per Scott's account.

Upon checking on Riley, Carolyn Scott found the girl with a blue face and vomit on the bed. After a conversation with her mother, Scott called 911. Investigators noted that Riley had a body temperature of only 86 degrees.

The affidavit suggests that there might have been a delay of more than an hour before Scott sought assistance for Riley.

Loss of 3-year-old Riley Scott

During the police investigation, they uncovered drugs, foil, and uncapped syringes within the residence. Subsequent testing revealed the presence of both fentanyl and methamphetamine in linens and other materials.

The coroner determined that the cause of Riley's death was intoxication from meth and fentanyl.

As per the affidavit, the autopsy indicated the likely administration of Narcan, a medication capable of reversing a narcotic overdose, while Riley was still alive. Narcan was discovered in her bloodstream.

Carolyn Scott claimed she did not know what Riley might have been involved in.

Riley had celebrated her third birthday less than a month before her passing, as mentioned in her obituary.

"She was a lively, popular fixture with the Kids Co and had just been promoted from the Toddlers class to the Preschool class,” the obituary said.

“Her daddy could bring out the loudest laughter in her when they played together, and her mother walking in a room brightened the sparkle in her eyes. Her favorite earthly activities included chicken nugget Happy Meals, unicorns, petting cows, feeding chickens, watching Paw Patrol, CoCoMelon, PJ Masks and other invigorating entertainment with her surviving big brothers.”

Furthermore, Carolyn Scott is currently held at the Aiken County Jail without the possibility of bond.