Dayton Man Sentenced for Infant Fentanyl Overdose
Verlon Ray Martin received a three-year prison sentence following an incident involving his unresponsive infant.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Drug Crime
A Dayton judge sentenced 41-year-old Verlon Ray Martin to three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to one count of child endangering. The conviction stems from an April 29 incident where his eight-month-old infant was found unresponsive on Redwood Avenue due to a fentanyl overdose.
Why it matters
The case highlights the dangers posed to children in environments where illicit substances are present. Prosecutors pursued these charges following an investigation by local police, who discovered the child after responding to a medical emergency.
Verlon Ray Martin received a three-year prison sentence with 80 days of credit for time served. The court dismissed seven additional drug-related charges, while Rachal Collie awaits a hearing scheduled for November 4.
The players
Verlon Ray Martin
The 41-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to endangering his infant child.
Mary Wiseman
She is the judge presiding over the court proceedings in Montgomery County.
Rachal Collie
The 30-year-old mother of the child faces multiple charges related to child endangerment and drug possession.
The details
Police discovered the unresponsive infant on Redwood Avenue and later executed a search warrant at the residence with SWAT and patrol units. The court dismissed several counts of possession involving fentanyl, heroin, and other drugs as part of the sentencing agreement.
Timeline
April 29: Police responded to a report of an unresponsive infant on Redwood Avenue.
May 1: The infant was reported in critical but stable condition.
October 14: Verlon Ray Martin pleaded guilty and received his sentence.
November 4: Rachal Collie has a court hearing scheduled.
Legal Context
This case reflects the application of Ohio child endangerment statutes regarding custodial negligence involving illicit narcotics. It follows a pattern of local judicial responses to the ongoing opioid crisis's impact on family safety.
Local residents may notice continued legal activity as related cases proceed through the county court system. Public safety authorities continue to stress the dangers of chemical exposure to children in residential settings.
The takeaway
This case underscores the severe legal consequences for caregivers when household access to illicit substances results in pediatric trauma. Residents are encouraged to report concerns about child welfare to local authorities to ensure immediate intervention.
What happens next
Rachal Collie is scheduled to appear for a court hearing on November 4.
Further reading
For more information on local legal proceedings, visit the Drug Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dayton Daily News.
