Baltimore Grandfather Pleads Guilty In Fentanyl Death of Grandson
Grandfather Pleads Guilty In Death Of 13-Month-Old Grandson from Fentanyl Poisoning
A Baltimore grandfather has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter following the fentanyl-related death of his 13-month-old grandson, Messiah Heggie.
Messiah died on October 27, 2023, after ingesting a deadly amount of fentanyl. According to Baltimore Police, the child likely came into contact with heroin residue left behind by his grandfather, 59-year-old Steven Heggie Sr.
The incident began around 4:30 a.m. when Messiah’s father dropped him off at Heggie’s apartment on West Coldspring Lane so he could go to work. Later that day, when the father returned, he found Messiah unresponsive in a bedroom.
Charging documents revealed that Heggie admitted to using heroin both before Messiah arrived and again just before the child was picked up. Heggie told investigators he snorted the drug to “function with the baby.”
During their time together, Heggie and Messiah took a nap. When they awoke, Heggie noticed the child was unconscious. He told police that he had heroin in his pocket when they fell asleep and suggested Messiah may have been exposed to drug residue from empty gel caps left on the bed or nearby furniture.
Toxicology confirmed the presence of fentanyl in the child’s system, and police ruled the death a result of drug poisoning.
On June 9, 2025, Heggie pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 19.
Court records show Heggie has a history of drug-related offenses.
Grandfather Pleads Guilty In Death Of 13-Month-Old Grandson from Fentanyl Poisoning was originally published on wolbbaltimore.com
