BY ANNIE HOLLER
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

MATEWAN, W.Va. — A Mingo County woman is in jail following the death of her 4-month-old infant Saturday at a residence in Matewan.

Police arrested Jonda Marie Whitt, 25, of Matewan, on charges of child neglect causing death and possession with intent to deliver in connection with the death of her child.

Cpl. L. Thomas and Sgt. D. Nunley of the Mingo County Sheriff’s Department responded to Whitt’s residence at 2:11 p.m. after a 911 caller reported a possible infant death. The caller told dispatchers his daughter had overheard a conversation between Whitt and Marissa Pruitt in which Whitt allegedly stated that her baby was dead and instructed Pruitt not to call 911 because drugs and illegal substances were inside the home.

The caller further reported that Whitt allegedly said she had drugs concealed in her bra and that the infant had been lying in that area.

STAT EMS responded to the residence and transported the infant, meeting an advanced life support ambulance and law enforcement atop Horsepen Mountain. While emergency crews were en route, 911 callers reported the child appeared deceased, describing the infant as pale, showing signs of blood pooling on its back and rigor mortis.

The infant was pronounced dead at 2:44 p.m. after EMS personnel consulted with Huntington MEDCOM.

Troopers with the Williamson Detachment of the West Virginia State Police secured the residence while deputies began their investigation.

According to records, Whitt told investigators she went to sleep around 12:30 a.m. and did not wake until approximately 1:50 p.m. She allegedly said she then checked on the infant and found the child warm to the touch but unresponsive. Whitt reportedly told officers the baby had a soiled diaper and clear fluid coming from its nose. She said she attempted CPR before contacting Pruitt and 911.

Investigators noted that Whitt did not place the 911 call reporting the infant’s condition.

While processing the scene, officers discovered a plastic bag containing a white powdery substance, believed to be fentanyl, concealed in Whitt’s mouth.

During a subsequent interview with Thomas, Whitt allegedly admitted using fentanyl before the infant’s death.

The infant’s body was transported to the West Virginia Medical Examiner’s Office in Charleston for an autopsy.

The investigation remains ongoing.