EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — A young Indiana woman was sentenced Friday to 25 years in prison for the death of her 3-year-old daughter who ingested fentanyl.
Makaylee Opperman, 21, of Evansville made a deal with prosecutors in October and pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent resulting in death and conspiracy to distribute a drug, the Evansville Courier & Press reported.
Kamari Opperman died in 2021 after swallowing fentanyl pills found inside a nightstand, according to police. Two other children survived overdoses after receiving treatment.
Authorities at the time said more than 5,000 fentanyl pills were found inside the home.
Vanderburgh County Judge Kelli Fink said the case was “heartbreaking.”
Defense attorney Jon Humphress asked for leniency, along with mental health and substance abuse treatment. Prosecutors sought a 30-year prison sentence.
“She is 21 years old. She has no prior felony convictions. She has two other children who need her," Humphress said.
Family members traveled from Alabama to tell the judge that Opperman was a good mother who loved her children.
-
Winners announced for the 2025 IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon
Tens of thousands participated in the IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon Saturday. Here are the winners
Bloomington Animal Care and Control calls on community to adopt, foster
Bloomington Animal Care and Control is full. They’re looking for folks to step up and adopt. The shelter has multiple incentives like waived or reduced adoption fees and events to home the animals.
Fire on north side injured man, left several displaced and kills three pets
The fire broke out around 7:56 p.m. at 9301 Racquetball Way, IFD posted on Facebook. It took IFD 25 minutes to get the fire under control.
Shepherd Community Center sees increase in need for mental health services
A community center on the east side of Indy is increasing access to mental health services for the kids and families they serve.
