NY Father Charged With Manslaughter In Fentanyl Death Of Toddler: DA

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — A local father has been charged with second-degree manslaughter for the fentanyl-related death of his 16-month-old child, prosecutors announced Friday.

Haitham Dasan, 49, was arraigned in Dutchess County Court on Wednesday, after a local grand jury returned an indictment against him, according to Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi.

Prosecutors claim his daughter, Soraiya Dasan, who died in April 2021 in Poughkeepsie, was exposed to fentanyl because of Haitham Dasan’s “recklessness.”

Prosecutors said Haitham Dasan possessed a hypodermic needle that contained both fentanyl and xylazine, as well as a plastic container with a clear plastic straw that contained fentanyl.

The Dutchess County Medical Examiner's Office conducted an autopsy and toxicology testing on Soraiya Dasan. The office concluded the child died due to “acute fentanyl intoxication,” with both fentanyl and xylazine found in her blood, according to the district attorney’s office.

“The death of a 16-month-old child is an unimaginable tragedy, and we will never stop working to ensure that even the coldest cases are given the attention they deserve,” Parisi said.

Haitham Dasan was remanded without bail, and he is next due in court on Oct. 29.