COCOA, Fla. – The Florida Department of Children and Families told News 6 on Friday that its investigators had previously conducted an investigation, concluding there were no safety risks, prior to an infant being found dead.
[RELATED: Parents arrested after infant dies from fentanyl, cocaine overdose, deputies say]
Brevard County deputies said that 8-month-old Tanner Chappele was found unresponsive inside a home on Walnut Street in Cocoa. Investigators said that toxicology results showed the infant died of a fentanyl and cocaine overdose on Sept. 7, 2017.
DCF told News 6 that it had conducted an investigation in April 2017 after hearing allegations of drug abuse and neglect. However, the agency said its investigation concluded there was no safety risk for the infant.
Relative Marcee Carpenter said that she called DCF in April 2017 about the conditions inside the house, fearing something bad would happen to Tanner.
"There were multiple calls made all the way from April to August," Carpenter said. "Somebody is not wanting to hold accountability for this. I've seen Animal Control take dogs away for less than that."
DCF Secretary Mike Carroll released a statement to News 6 Friday that stated, "The loss of Tanner is devastating and DCF has an open child death investigation. The family was known to the child welfare system. Last year, at the time of Tanner's death, I ordered a comprehensive review into the circumstances that lead to this tragedy."
DCF released a statement Friday stating April of 2017 was the only interaction the department had with the deceased child. The agency said it completed an investigation into the allegations and closed with no findings of abuse or neglect.
David Williams Chappele Jr., 29, and Jessica Marie Strickland, 27, of unincorporated Cocoa, were arrested in connection to the child's death after a judge issued arrest warrants Wednesday.