Baby Dies of Starvation After Mom OD's, 3-Year-Old Sister Tried to Feed Him

This is so incredibly sad. Pretty desensitized to most true crime stories, but this really made me tear up. I feel incredibly sad for the little girl. Hoping the family has the little girl safely in their care now.

Read on…

A 1-year-old baby starved to death in Portland, Tennessee, after his mother died of a fentanyl and methamphetamine overdose. The baby’s 3-year-old sister tried to feed her brother for several days after the fatal overdose. The 3-year-old was still alive and rushed to an area hospital for medical care.

Sister Tries to Save Brother

Tiffany Spears, 32, and Nicholas Crowder, 1, were found dead in their Portland home in February 2021. Portland is a small town located about 35-miles northeast of Nashville. The baby was strapped into a car seat sitting on the bedroom floor. Police found food, including a dried egg and an eggshell, in and near the car seat.

Probation Officer Discovers Bodies

A probation officer visiting the home on February 9 for a visit discovered the front door locked and could not get anyone to answer. She peered through the window where she saw a little girl running around the house as well as Spears’ deceased body lying on the bathroom floor. The probation officer then dialed 9-1-1, alerting the Sumner County Sheriff's Office.

Autopsy Results Revealed

The autopsy results for Tiffany and Nicholas were released on June 14th. An autopsy revealed that the woman had been dead for several days, dying of drug toxicity from methamphetamine and fentanyl. Nicholas, age 15 months, died of dehydration and starvation. It is unclear how long Nicholas had been dead. The Medical Examiner ruled both deaths accidental.

Not an Isolated Incident

Sumner County police said this is not the first time a fatal drug overdose has occurred in the home. It is unclear if the statement referred to incidents involving Spears or prior tenants.

Tiffany was dating James Crowder, Nicholas' father, at the time of the deaths. I am unsure of the whereabouts of Crowder during the time of the deaths.

More Case Information:

https://www.gilbertfuneral.com/obituary/Tiffany-Spears

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2021/06/14/autopsy-tennessee-mother-died-overdose-baby-died-starvation-dehydration/7683790002/

Do You Have Information About This Case?

The Sumner County Sheriff's Office needs the public’s help to develop a timeline of events surrounding Spears’s death. Anyone with information about the death or who came into contact with Spears’ on or around February 9th should call Detective Lance Hampton at 615-442-1849.

Drug Addiction Help

If you or someone you love is struggling with drug addiction, please get help. Access free confidential services from SAMHSA National Helpline by calling 1-800-662-4357. This service offers 24/7 help for anyone in need. Along with addiction services, SAMHSA also offers mental health services.

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