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Detroit Woman Charged in Overdose Death Of Her Eight-Year-Old Grandson

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Gail Townsend-Finley, 59 (DOB: 05/31/1958), of Detroit, in connection with the death of her eight-year-old grandson, Jamere Arnold.

On July 5, 2017 at approximately 11:10 p.m., Detroit Fire Department medics were dispatched to a residence in the 19900 block of Conley Street in Detroit in response to a 911 call for a child not breathing. The medics transported the child to a local hospital for treatment, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. It was determined that the child died from fatal ingestion of Fentanyl at the residence.

It is alleged that the defendant left drugs accessible to her grandson, which resulted in Jamere's death. It is also alleged that the defendant failed to provide a safe environment for her grandson. She has been charged with one count of Involuntary Manslaughter and one count of Child Abuse Second Degree*.

Today Townsend-Finley was arraigned in 36th District Court and received a $50,000/10% bond. The probable cause conference is scheduled for June 15, 2018 at 8:30 a.m.; the preliminary examination is scheduled for June 22, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. Both hearings are before Judge Kenneth King in 36th District Court.

*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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