Police: Tot died after mom gave meth to counter methadone

PHOENIX — A Phoenix mom is accused of killing her 22-month-old daughter after the toddler consumed methadone from an open container and the mom gave her methamphetamines in an effort to counteract the medication, Phoenix police said.

Adalynn Russell died on April 14. Autopsy results showed  she had toxic levels of methadone and methamphetamines in her system at the time of her death, according to a Phoenix police statement Tuesday.

Natalie Russell, 30, was arrested on July 26, according to a Phoenix police statement.

Homicide detectives found in their investigation that Russell had researched methadone-overdose information on the Internet, according to a Phoenix police statement.

About 10 p.m. April 13, Adalynn consumed the methadone, Russell later told officers. She took no action to seek medical attention, and fell asleep with the victim around 1 a.m., according to police. Another woman in the home discovered the child not breathing about 6:45 a.m. the next day, and emergency services were called to the home.

Initially Russell told officers that a container of methadone had spilled, and believed her 5-year-old son had given the victim the medication before she could clean it up. The victim lived at the home with her two brothers and Russell.

Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Officer served a warrant on the home.

Russell was booked into jail on one count of first-degree murder and  two counts of child abuse.

The two other children in the home were placed in Arizona Department of Child Safety's care, police said.

Follow Claire Roney on Twitter: @claire_roney