In the early morning of January 5, 2023, Asbury Park Police Department responded to a report of an unresponsive child. However, the 2-year-old child was pronounced dead at a local hospital almost an hour later.
An investigation revealed quantities of heroin and fentanyl in 26-year-old Quanique Smith, the child’s mother’s possession, which were left in the apartment within the victim’s and his 5-year-old sibling’s reach. The 2-year-old ingested the drugs, causing his death. Quanique Smith was later arrested on the day of her child’s passing.
On May 24, 2023, Quanique Smith pleaded guilty to Second-Degree Aggravated Manslaughter after being indicted in March. On September 7, 2023, Smith is scheduled to appear before the Honorable Marc C. Lemieux, J.S.C, and be sentenced. The 26-year-old is expected to be sentenced to 8 years in NJ State Prison subject to the No Early Release Act, ,also known as the 85% Rule.
Quanique Smith is presently serving her sentence at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Woman on a Count of Manslauter in violation of NJSA 2C:11-4. According to the State, Quanique Smith will be elible for parole on or about October 22, 2029.
