Longview mom pleads guilty to baby fentanyl death
The Longview woman accused of killing her infant son in December 2025 by exposure to drugs pleaded guilty and was sentenced Thursday morning.
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Lashaia Shanmarie-Amy Avila, 33, wore a jail uniform and sat next to her public defender, Stephen Geiger, when she pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter. She was originally charged with first-degree manslaughter.
Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge Jill Karmy accepted Avila's plea deal and sentenced her to six years in prison, as well as 12 months of community custody. She must also undergo substance abuse evaluation and treatment.
An autopsy showed the 3-month-old had 20 times the amount of fentanyl considered potentially lethal for an adult, according to the police report that led to her arrest.
The baby also had meth in his system.
A forensic pathologist ascribed the child's death to "acute fentanyl intoxication," according to court documents filed by Longview police in her Cowlitz County Superior Court case.
Avila told police she was addicted to fentanyl, and the death likely occurred from secondhand smoke or her touching the baby, the report continues.
In reaction to the death, Longview Mayor Erik Halvorson spearheaded directing city staff to draft an ordinance that would make it a gross misdemeanor for anyone endangering an infant or child by exposing them to Schedule I and II controlled substances, including fentanyl.
The crime of "Endangerment with a controlled substance" - used for children who survive a drug exposure - is a felony under Washington state law. As currently written, however, it only covers methamphetamine exposure and substances historically used in meth labs such ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and anhydrous ammonia.
Editor's Note: The Daily News reporter Nick Morgan contributed to this article.
How to get help
People can call or text 988 24/7 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for support with mental health crises, substance use concerns, thoughts of suicide, or any other type of emotional distress.
Cowlitz County residents can also contact the area crisis line 24/7 at 360-425-6064 or 800-803-8833.
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