Boynton Beach Mother Arrested For Homicide After Baby Dies Of Fentanyl Overdose

Kelly Kirwan Of Boynton Beach Charged With Aggravated Manslaughter Of Child

BOYNTON BEACH, FL (Boca Post) —  Kelly Kirwan, 32, of the 1000 block of New Lake Drive in Boynton Beach, has been arrested by the Boynton Beach Police Department for aggravated manslaughter for the death of her 10-month-old baby.

According to an arrest affidavit submitted by the Boynton Beach Police Department, PBSO deputies responded to a “medical episode” call near the intersection of Military Trail and Boynton Beach Boulevard just after 8 PM on March 31^st, 2022. There, they found a 10-month-old baby being transported in her car seat by her mother Kelly Kirwan.

The baby was transported to Bethesda East Hospital for treatment. Hospital staff later told PBSO that the baby had suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of alcohol toxicity.

Kirwan told investigators that she brought the baby to Target to get a hard-to-find formula made for colicky babies. While en route to the store, she noticed that the baby was making strange noises while slumped over. Kirwan then called 9-1-1. While Kirwan and the baby were at the hospital, detectives requested access to the apartment she shares with a man. The man then left the hospital and rushed back to the apartment to meet with detectives.

The investigators found that the home the baby was living in was littered with hazards, including alcohol and drugs. Detectives immediately noticed that there were Benadryl pills on the couch, as well as several prescription pill bottles throughout the apartment, a bar containing bottles of alcohol protected only by a piece of cardboard, and an empty capsule of suspected drugs Inside the bedroom.

The baby was transported to Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Hospital in Hollywood in grave condition. The baby was later removed from life support on April 5^th, 2022.

Detectives and Crime Scene personnel arrived at the residential apartment and executed a search warrant. One of the items collected was an empty capsule from the main bedroom located on the bed. It Is known to law enforcement that empty capsules may contain narcotic and. or illegal substances such as fentanyl. A baby pacifier and a pump nasal spray was observed also on the bed near where the capsule was recovered. Another empty capsule can be seen floating in the toilet bowl, appearing to have chew marks on it

Detectives discovered a Ring front door camera at the adjoining apartment The resident provided access to the Ring camera video footage. Two Ring camera videos show Kirwan holding the baby as she enters her apartment. In both videos, the baby is making a noise while she seems motionless other than her arms swaying caused movements while carrying the child. Kirwan indicated she was going to the Target department store without any other destinations being disclosed. Other recovered videos show Kirwan at different times seemed to be highly intoxicated with displays of drowsiness and lethargy. Her eyes are dosed, head tilted back and swaying while also holding the baby.

Kirwan was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail at 11:53 PM on Tuesday, October 11^th, 2022. Kirwan appeared before a judge this morning who ordered that she have no contact with witnesses or any person under the age of 18.

Kirwan’s bond was set at $300,000 due to the fact that she recently moved to Florida from out of state.

Boca Post has confirmed with Boynton Beach Police Department that the investigation is considered ongoing. While the department could not confirm with us that another arrest is pending, we suspect the live-in boyfriend is likely facing charges. Check back here for updates.