A one-month-old girl died at a Henrico County motel in June after investigators determined that cocaine toxicity was the cause of death, according to court records and the medical examiner’s findings. The baby’s death was ruled a homicide, and her parents are facing second-degree murder and child neglect charges.
Derrick Dwayne Carter, 47, and Ashton Marie Leeper, 30, were arrested in July in connection with the death of their daughter, identified in court documents as L.C. Christina Ann Snead, 53, who was staying in the same motel room, faces a charge of accessory after the fact of murder.
The investigation began shortly after 1 p.m. on June 29, when emergency crews were called to a Motel 6 on Williamsburg Road after the infant was reported unresponsive. Responders found the baby unconscious and not breathing. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
What Investigators Say Happened
According to the criminal complaint, Carter told investigators that he fed the baby around 1 a.m. that morning. He reportedly said the bottle contained about 10 ounces of formula mixed with a teaspoon of rice cereal.
After feeding her, Carter said he placed the baby on the edge of a bed beside a pillow, with Leeper nearby. An air-conditioning unit next to the bed was set to 68 degrees.
Carter told investigators that he later woke up and found the baby stiff and not breathing. Leeper called 911 at about 1:02 p.m., with emergency personnel arriving several minutes later.
Medical examiners determined that the infant had been dead for roughly two hours before authorities arrived. The final medical finding listed cocaine toxicity as the cause of death and homicide as the manner of death.
Court Records Detail Drug Use and Feeding Concerns
The investigation also uncovered allegations involving drug use inside the motel room.
According to court documents, Carter and Leeper acknowledged smoking crack cocaine in the room. Child protective services screenings conducted on the day of the baby’s death initially returned non-negative results for cocaine and alcohol.
Investigators also learned that the infant had reportedly been given foods that are not normally part of a very young infant’s diet. Leeper allegedly told investigators she had given the baby small amounts of applesauce the afternoon before her death and had also been feeding her rice cereal in the days leading up to the incident.
A doctor who reviewed the circumstances identified several concerns involving the baby’s care during the month before her death. Those concerns included the reported feeding of solid foods, the sleeping arrangement, prolonged time without a feeding and drug use in the room.
Court documents also state that the baby was born with a high amount of cocaine in her system.
Surveillance Video Leads to Additional Allegation
Investigators are also examining what happened inside the motel room shortly before police arrived.
Surveillance footage allegedly showed Snead leaving the room and throwing a bag into a trash can. Police later determined that the bag contained items associated with smoking cocaine and attributed them to Carter and Leeper, according to the criminal complaint.
The investigation further alleges that Carter contacted Snead before her interview with police and attempted to make sure her account matched the version of events he and Leeper had provided.
Snead was later charged with accessory after the fact of murder. She has been released on bond and is under house arrest with GPS monitoring.
Parents Remain in Custody as Case Moves Forward
Carter and Leeper have remained in custody since their arrests in July. Both face second-degree murder and child neglect charges.
The case is now moving through the Henrico County court system. Snead is scheduled for a court appearance on October 5, while Carter and Leeper are expected in court on October 26.
The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The investigation and legal proceedings remain ongoing.
