Miami Mom Jailed After 9-Month-Old's Drug-Related Death

A Miami mother, Natalia Munoz Paulino, has been arrested following the tragic death of her nine-month-old baby, who died from ingesting lethal amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine. According to the Miami Herald, the incident occurred on July 2, 2024, when emergency crews were called to Munoz Paulino's apartment in the Hammocks area.

Upon arrival, the baby was transported to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:39 PM. Investigators described the apartment as filthy, with trash, old food, and used hygiene products littered throughout, indicating an unsafe living environment for children.

They also noted that Munoz Paulino's older child was seen drinking baby oil, prompting concerns about neglect. Munoz Paulino provided several conflicting accounts regarding her child's death, ranging from falling asleep while holding the baby to claims of the child choking or drowning.

The baby's father, who works out of state, informed investigators that he had witnessed drugs in their home and mentioned Munoz Paulino's history of drug use. After a thorough investigation, the medical examiner determined the cause of death to be child neglect, ruling the manner of death as homicide.

An autopsy revealed that the infant had ingested not only drugs but also eggshells and feathers. Detectives concluded that the drugs were ingested rather than passed through breastfeeding, as the child was already consuming solid food and formula.

Munoz Paulino has been charged with second-degree murder and is currently being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.