Marion County mother charged with neglect after child’s fatal fentanyl overdose; investigators detail search warrant findings
Neglect charge filed after infant’s death
Marion County prosecutors have filed a felony charge of neglect of a dependent resulting in death against an Indianapolis mother after her 10-month-old daughter died following fentanyl exposure. The child, Sanyla Irby, died in July 2024 at an Indianapolis hospital.
An autopsy determined the cause of death was complications of fentanyl intoxication and classified the manner of death as accidental. The charge alleges the child’s death resulted from a caregiver’s failure to provide proper supervision or a safe environment.
What investigators say happened
Court records describe the child being found unresponsive on July 12, 2024. The mother, Skyla Irby, reported finding the baby in a pack-and-play “cold to the touch” and attempted CPR before emergency response efforts continued.
The investigation included searches of residences tied to the case. Detectives obtained a search warrant for an apartment on Sebring Court and reported finding a backpack containing blue “M30” pills, commonly associated with fentanyl in counterfeit tablet form. Police later executed another search warrant at the same apartment on Aug. 15, 2024, and learned the tenants had been evicted on Aug. 7 after what investigators described as numerous narcotics complaints.
A laboratory report tied to items recovered from the Sebring Court location identified fentanyl, heroin, marijuana and bromazolam.
- Victim: Sanyla Irby, 10 months old
- Cause of death: complications of fentanyl intoxication
- Manner of death: accidental
- Charge: neglect of a dependent resulting in death
Addresses and medical disclosure in court records
Investigators reported that the mother later told an Indiana Department of Child Services family case manager that her address was on Centurion Circle, describing that location as where the incident involving the baby occurred. Detectives also noted in court records that hospital staff were not informed by the mother that the child may have ingested narcotics.
The autopsy classified the manner of death as accidental, while prosecutors pursued a neglect charge that focuses on caregiver conduct leading up to the fatal exposure.
Case status
As of the most recent court scheduling information publicly reported, Skyla Irby was being held in the Marion County jail with an initial hearing set for a Tuesday morning date. Court listings referenced in the public report did not identify an attorney for her at that time. The neglect charge remains an allegation and will be tested in court.
The case unfolds amid continuing concern from child welfare officials about preventable child deaths in Indiana, including deaths linked to caregiver maltreatment documented in state fatality reporting.