A couple now facing second-degree murder charges in the alleged fentanyl overdose death of their 2-year-old girl in San Francisco are being sought on court-ordered warrants after skipping a court hearing on the new charges Thursday.
Steve Ramirez, 43, and Michelle Price, 38, were previously arrested and charged with felony child endangerment in the Feb. 12 death of Stevie P. but were freed by a judge without having to post bail. The couple has attended previous court hearings, but the case did not draw public attention until District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced Wednesday that the two would now be facing murder charges in the case.
“I can assure the court that they are panicked,” Ramirez’ attorney, Peter Fitzpatrick, told Judge Brian Stretch three hours after the defendants were due in court Thursday morning.
“They are still grieving parents who have become the center point of this media circus.”
Price’s lawyer, Michiko Yamamoto, told the judge she spoke with her client earlier that morning and Price had assured her she was “on her way” to the hearing. Judge Stretch countered that the court had been “waiting all morning” for the defendants to appear.
In the end, Stetch issued no-bail warrants for the arrest of both defendants but indicated he would be willing to reconsider the bail issue in the future. The defense attorneys told the court they now expect their clients to appear before the court at 9 a.m. Friday.
Court documents filed in the case show a white rock – which authorities say tested as fentanyl – was found near the body of the child as well as an expended cartridge of Narcan, the drug commonly used to counteract overdoses.
Authorities say tests showed Stevie P. had a fatal level of fentanyl in her blood and was likely dead “several hours” before Ramirez told the front desk at their supportive housing apartment in the Mission District to call 911.
Officers who were called to the scene by fire crews say they found drug paraphernalia – including cylindrical pipes, lighters and torches. Court documents state Ramirez rode off on his bicycle but was chased down by officers. Police say he later told officers that when he arrived at the apartment that morning, he found the toddler wasn’t breathing and that’s when he alerted the desk to call medics.