A Wisconsin man is the second of two defendants who were sentenced to a state prison term for having been responsible for the death of a 22-month-old toddler who ingested fentanyl.

Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan announced that Jorge Suarez-Santiago, 33, of Milwaukee, pleaded guilty on March 27 to charges of involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of a child and possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced by Judge Anna-Kristie M. Marks to 5-15 years in a state prison.

Previously, the toddler’s mother, Jayleen Rivas-Rodriguez, 36, was sentenced on May 5 to the same prison term.

Police charged them with the death of Johansy Suarez-Rivas, who officials said died in a hospital from fentanyl toxicity.

On April 5, 2021, Allentown police were called to St. Luke’s Hospital, Sacred Heart, for a report of a toddler who was not breathing. He was pronounced dead a short time later.

Officials said the amount of fentanyl in his heart blood was measured at 16.5 nanograms per millimeter. A forensic pathologist determined the boy died between the morning of April 5, 2021 and noon of the same day.

The investigation revealed both Suarez-Santiago and Rivas-Rodriguez had used heroin in the hours before their son was pronounced dead and said as the parents of Johansy, they had a duty of care, protection and support for their child.

Police said Suarez-Santiago was alone with his son while Rivas-Rodriguez left their apartment at 106 N. Eighth St. for several hours that day with two other children. They alleged Rivas-Rodriguez left their son in the care of Suarez-Santiago knowing he was visibly intoxicated. Police also alleged Rivas-Rodriguez had provided Suarez-Santiago with what she believed to be heroin before leaving Johansy in his care that day.

Rivas-Rodriguez discovered their son unresponsive after she returned home.

The investigation revealed Johansy was exposed to and ingested a lethal dose of fentanyl while in the care of his parents, who both consciously disregarded the high risk that their reckless use and handling of illegal narcotics was likely to cause death or serious bodily injury to their child.

The case was investigated by Allentown police Detective Joseph Beiner and the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office, and was prosecuted by Holihan and Chief Deputy District Attorney Sara A. Moyer.