Mother Accepts Plea Deal in Daughter’s Fentanyl Death, Faces Up to 30 Years

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A mother accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Oct. 15.

Sasha McCoy, 28, was originally charged with first-degree murder and first-degree cruelty to children following the death of her three-year-old daughter, Journey McCoy, on Oct. 18, 2022. The incident took place at their home on the 3400 block of Stanton Road, SE.

According to the prosecution, McCoy placed her daughter down for a nap. After approximately an hour, she discovered her daughter was no longer breathing. McCoy rushed the child to the hospital, performing CPR, while a witness called 911 and drove them to the emergency room. Despite these efforts, Journey was pronounced dead at the hospital. An autopsy revealed that the cause of death was fentanyl intoxication.

Camille Wagner, McCoy’s attorney, informed the court of McCoy’s intention to accept a deal that required her to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter. In exchange, the prosecution agreed not to seek indictment charges and dropped the original first-degree murder and first-degree cruelty to children charges.

Voluntary manslaughter carries a penalty of up to 30 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

Judge Brandt scheduled sentencing for Jan. 3, 2025.