Man charged in child’s fentanyl death medically unable to attend court Friday

Jason Kotowski
·1 min read

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A man arrested after his 2-year-old son died from fentanyl toxicity was “medically unavailable” to attend his arraignment Friday afternoon.

Details were not divulged, but Court Commissioner Sally Ackerknecht stressed that Raul Rivera had not refused to attend, but wasn’t there for a medical reason. The hearing was postponed to Monday.

Rivera, 24, is being held on $1 million bail on charges of first-degree murder and child cruelty. He faces a life term in prison if convicted as charged in the death of Ezekiel Rivera, who died June 5 at his home on Sentido Drive.

Charges were filed last month.

RELATED: Coroner confirms child, 2, died from fentanyl overdose

According to a probable cause declaration, Rivera waited hours to call for medical aid after the boy was discovered unresponsive. Raul Rivera tested positive for fentanyl and told deputies he used the drug that day.

Investigators found an unidentified residue on low standing furniture in the home, and Rivera told investigators he snorted fentanyl in that spot. Rivera last year pleaded no contest to possession of cocaine base for sale, records show.

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