Man Charged in Teen Fentanyl Death

PROVIDENCE, RI –  A Providence man has been arraigned in Third Division District Court on charges stemming from the teen fentanyl death of a 15-year-old girl.

Juan Pizarro, 34, was arraigned on April 17 and charged with engaging in a controlled substance transaction resulting in death of a minor. The defendant is currently being held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI), according to a joint release from Attorney General Peter F. Neronha, Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez and WPD Chief Col. Bradford Connor.

On April 4, Warwick Police arrested Pizarro and charged him with delivery of fentanyl to person under the age of 18.  After further investigation by the Warwick and Providence Police Departments, and the Office of the Attorney General, he was arraigned today on the additional charge of engaging in a controlled substance transaction resulting in death of a minor.

As alleged in court filings, in the afternoon of April 3, Providence Police responded to a report of a death of a 15-year-old girl. It is alleged that the 15-year-old victim, and an unnamed 13-year-old girl, were with the defendant at a Motel 6 in Warwick.

It is further alleged that the defendant, while at the motel, provided the 15-year-old victim and a 13-year-old with marijuana and a pill which was later confirmed by the state Medical Examiner’s Office to contain fentanyl.

On April 4, the state Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy that revealed the presence of both THC and fentanyl in the system of the 15-year old. The 13-year-old victim received treatment at Hasbro’s Children’s Hospital and was later released.

That day, Warwick Police arrested Pizzaro, who was then arraigned in Third Division District Court where he was denied bail and ordered held at the ACI.

A status conference is scheduled for May 1.