A 2-year-old child died from acute fentanyl toxicity while in the care of his grandparents, including Joanna Marie Sanchez-Cordero, who is now charged with 2nd-degree manslaughter.
The incident occurred on March 18, 2026, at a residence in Minneapolis, prompting police to respond.
Joanna Marie Sanchez-Cordero, 42, of Minneapolis, faces a charge of 2nd-degree manslaughter for allegedly committing or attempting to commit a violation that led to the child’s death. The complaint states that officers found drug paraphernalia, including a pipe with suspected drug residue, in the home where the child was located.
READ MORE → Hennepin County coverage
The witness statements reveal that the child’s grandfather last saw him alive around 11 p.m. the night before. He reported hearing Sanchez-Cordero say the child wasn’t breathing around 9 a.m. the following morning. When officers arrived, they found the child being assisted by paramedics and later learned he had died at the hospital. The grandfather indicated that the drug paraphernalia belonged to Sanchez-Cordero and noted that it had been moved prior to the police arrival.
The autopsy confirmed that the cause of death was acute fentanyl toxicity. The complaint also mentions that another child in the home admitted to moving the drug evidence to prevent Sanchez-Cordero from getting in trouble. A court date has not yet been set.
About This Charge
Minnesota’s manslaughter statutes cover two degrees under § 609.20 (first-degree) and § 609.205 (second-degree). Second-degree manslaughter, involving culpable negligence creating an unreasonable risk of death or great bodily harm, carries up to 10 years in prison. First-degree manslaughter applies when the act is committed in the heat of passion or under circumstances the law recognizes as adequate provocation, and carries up to 15 years.
Related MN CRIME Coverage
Fridley Man Charged in Fatal Minneapolis Drive-By Shooting • Minneapolis Woman Charged After Man Died on Her SUV Hood • Woman Charged with Murder After Minneapolis Shooting
Jurisdictional Context
Hennepin County is Minnesota’s most populous jurisdiction. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office handles felony prosecutions across Minneapolis and 45 surrounding cities; the Fourth Judicial District presides over felony arraignments and trials at the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis.
