The demise of a 2-year-old girl in Virginia, who tragically passed away in 2022 after ingesting a mix of drugs, including fentanyl and a veterinary tranquilizer, has led to the sentencing of her parents, Anna E. Raines, 30, and Jesse A. Gunn, 38.
A recent ruling from a York County Circuit Court Judge mandates each parent to serve 11 years in a state correctional facility for their roles in the toddler's untimely death.
Both Raines and Gunn pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and child abuse—disregard for life, resulting in a 10-year sentence for manslaughter and a five-year sentence for child abuse, with four years suspended.
These sentences are to be served consecutively, totaling 11 years. The parents had initially faced felony homicide charges, which were revised through agreements with the York County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.
In addition to their prison terms, Raines and Gunn will undergo 10 years of post-release supervision. The tragic incident unfolded on July 7, 2022, when deputies responded to an infant not breathing at a Kiln Creek residence. The child, found unresponsive, was pronounced dead despite life-saving efforts.
Deputies arrested Raines and Gunn due to the deplorable conditions in which the child lived, described as "disarray." The family occupied a room in Raines' father's home, Timothy Lee Raines, a family medicine physician.
The scene revealed severe neglect, with the child's crib surrounded by unsanitary conditions, used syringes, and drug paraphernalia within the child's reach.
An autopsy report later revealed that the toddler died from drug and nicotine exposure, leading to upgraded charges of felony child neglect for Raines and Gunn.
The cause of death was determined as an "acute combined fentanyl and Xylazine overdose in addition to nicotine exposure," with Xylazine being a veterinary tranquilizer commonly used as a cutting agent in heroin.
Although initially believed not to be involved, Timothy Lee Raines was subsequently arrested and charged with child abuse—disregard for life. His court appearance for a status hearing is scheduled for Dec. 5.
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