A Rancho Cucamonga woman, Christina Alvarez, 32, has been charged with felony child endangerment following the death of 10-year-old Nathaniel Castro Mendoza from narcotics poisoning. On December 14, officers responded to a 911 call about an unresponsive child in the 9000 block of Arrow Route, Rancho Cucamonga. Despite life-saving efforts, Nathaniel was pronounced dead at the scene.
The San Bernardino County Coroner determined in February that Nathaniel died from fentanyl and xylazine toxicity. Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” is a veterinary sedative that, when combined with fentanyl, enhances the effects of the opioid but cannot be reversed with Narcan, making it especially lethal. According to the Los Angeles Times, Alvarez allegedly possessed and stored fentanyl in a manner that led to Nathaniel’s death. She was arrested on March 14, just two days after what would have been Nathaniel’s 11th birthday.
Alvarez pleaded not guilty to charges of child endangerment and an enhancement of willful harm resulting in death. She is currently being held on $100,000 bail. The case highlights the growing concern over xylazine’s spread across the U.S., as noted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which reported that xylazine was found in 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of fentanyl pills seized in 2022.
Nathaniel, described by his family as a “bright light” and a passionate baseball and football player, was a fifth-grade student at Bear Gulch Elementary School. His family continues to mourn his loss and remember his vibrant spirit. A funeral was held for Nathaniel on December 27.
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