A Rancho Kukamon woman was charged with felony child endangerment because fentanyl possession caused the death of a 10-year-old boy.
Nathaniel Castro Mendoza, also of Rancho Cucamonga, overdose on December 14.
On March 12, his family mourned his 11th birthday.
“We miss your Nate and will continue to keep your name and memory alive,” his mother, Marcy Castro, wrote on social media. “We love you, Nathan, a happy birth.”
Two days later, Christina Alvarez, 32, was arrested for his death.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department determined that Alvarez “owns and stores fentanyl in a way that caused the victim’s death,” but did not disclose her connection to Nathaniel.
Alvarez is charged with endangering child harm and increased intentional injury, resulting in death. She pleaded not guilty Tuesday and held on $100,000 bail.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call in December, recounting an unresponsive child in the 9000 block of Rancho Cucamonga. Their efforts to save lives, but Nathaniel was later pronounced dead.
In February, a San Bernardino County coroner determined that he died of fentanyl and lignazine toxicity.
Methylazine, also known as Tranq, is a powerful veterinary sedative that is often used in combination with fentanyl to enhance and prolong the effects of synthetic opioids. Since sapirazine is not an opioid, it cannot be reversed with overdoses such as Narcan, making it particularly deadly.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency issued a rare public safety warning in 2023 warning of its dangerous effects when used in combination with fentanyl.
“Trojans are the deadliest drug threat our country has encountered, fentanyl, and even more lethal,” said Anne Milgram, an administrator at the time. “The DEA caught a mixture of methylthiazide and fentanyl in 48 states in 50 states. The DEA lab system reported that in 2022, about 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of fentanyl pills are composed of methylthiazide.”
Nathaniel’s funeral was held on December 27. His family described him in their prosecutors as “the light of all who know him” and a “extrovert and energetic little boy” who is passionate about baseball and football.
They wrote that he was a fifth-grade student at Bear Gulch Elementary School and a passionate member of his school community.
“Nathan’s energy and joy are infectious, leaving an indelible mark on everyone he meets,” they wrote. “His kindness and adventurous spirit will be remembered forever.”
Nathaniel’s parents Castro and Miguel Mendoza and siblings Christian Mendoza, Mark Gallegos and Miranda Gallegos survived.
