Mother sentenced to 27 years for daughter’s overdose death

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- The mother of four-year-old Acelynn Staton-Contreras has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for child abuse resulting in death and several other charges.

"I'm hoping that that sets a precedent in our community that, first of all, (fentanyl) is not okay," said Ryan Sauter, a Fountain police detective that investigated the case. "Secondly, it needs to stay away from our kids."

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According to the Fountain Police Department (FPD), 24-year-old Emma Staton was sentenced to 27 years on July 3. In April, she pleaded guilty to Child Abuse Resulting in Death, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

"It affects more than just the person who uses the drug," Sauter said. "It affects everybody around. It affects the community as a whole."

In July of 2022, Fountain police were dispatched to the Love's Truck Stop along I-25 to respond to a reported overdose. According to police, officers found an unresponsive child. Despite performing CPR, the child was pronounced dead at the scene.

Court records show the child was likely overdosing on fentanyl for hours before Staton sought medical help at the truck stop. Sauter said Acelynn ate a fentanyl pill that was sitting on the bathroom windowsill at Staton's home.

"She never thought her daughter would get into them, and that now has changed tons of people's lives," Sauter said.

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Statton was also sentenced to five years of parole following the 27 years of incarceration, according to the 4th Judicial DA. Sauter said the 27-year sentence was shorter than what he expected. But he said prosecuting the maximum sentences in these types of cases is the best way to curb the fentanyl epidemic.

"Even though this case is done, it doesn't bring Acelynn back," Sauter said. "There's always going to be that hole missing in their hearts."