In the late summer of 2014, concerns for the welfare of a 10-month-old girl named Lokelani Morton-Speer prompted an investigation by the Clark County Department of Family Services into allegations of neglect. This investigation was still open when, on the morning of September 11, 2014, medical personnel were called to a home in Laughlin, Nevada, where they found the infant unresponsive.
Tragically, Lokelani was pronounced dead at the scene.
Subsequent investigation into her death revealed a heartbreaking cause. The Clark County coroner's office determined that Lokelani died from acute methadone toxicity, compounded by bronchopneumonia. This finding led authorities to rule her death a homicide. At the time, the young girl was reportedly at the home of her mother's friend when she was found.
In the weeks following her death, law enforcement officials stated that they were awaiting the official cause of death before moving forward with their investigation. As of early October 2014, no arrests had been made in connection with Lokelani's death. The Department of Family Services, which had the initial open neglect case, also launched a new investigation into the circumstances surrounding her passing.
