San Francisco, CA – Today, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced that an amended complaint was filed charging Michelle Price (38) and Steve Ramirez (43) with murder in connection with the fatal fentanyl overdose of a toddler. The District Attorney’s Office will move to have each of them detained without bail pending trial. This is the first murder case that the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office has filed in connection to a fatal fentanyl overdose. The motion to amend the complaint is scheduled to be heard on April 16, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in Department 20, at the Hall of Justice.
Ms. Price and Mr. Ramirez were initially were each initially charged with felony child endangerment (PC 273a(a)), possession of fentanyl (H&SC 11350) and possession of drug paraphernalia (H&SC 11364(a)). Mr. Ramirez was also charged with an additional count of possession of drug paraphernalia (H&SC 11364(a)), and resisting, obstructing, and delaying a peace officer (PC 148(a)(1)).
The amended complaint charges both defendants with second-degree murder (PC 187(a)) as well as allegations that they willfully caused harm or injury resulting in death to a child PC 12022.95) in addition to the original charges filed.
Ms. Price was released prior to her arraignment on February 19, 2026, by a magistrate, and was allowed to remain out of custody over the prosecution’s objection at her arraignment. The court set no bail for Mr. Ramirez at the first calling of the case on February 18, 2026, but he was released over prosecutors’ objections on February 24, 2026. His arraignment was initially continued because the Public Defender’s Office declared itself unavailable and subsequently held in contempt of court for failing to accept appointment of this case (and others) as required by law.
According to court documents, on February 12, 2026, at approximately 5:16 a.m., San Francisco Police Department officers responded to a residence on the 3800 block of 18th Street, regarding a 911 call that a child was not breathing. Medics arrived at the location and pronounced the two-year-old child, deceased. Medics observed signs of rigor mortis and lividity, indicating the child had been dead for several hours.
According to court documents officers also observed drug paraphernalia, including three used cylindrical pipes, lighters and torches. On the bed, officers observed a used Narcan container, white powder later identified as fentanyl, bottles of spoiled milk and stained sheets.
According to court documents Ms. Price, the child’s mother, allegedly exhibited droopy eyes, slurred speech, and an emotionless demeanor and was detained based on reasonable suspicion of child endangerment. When officers arrived at the residence, Mr. Ramirez, identified as Ms. Price’s boyfriend, allegedly attempted to flee the scene on a bicycle. Officers pursued and detained him after he allegedly resisted arrest, causing injury to an officer. During his arrest, officers found two glass pipes with burnt residue near Mr. Ramirez, and a third pipe in a bag attached to his bicycle.
According to court documents the Medical Examiner has completed the autopsy and found no obvious signs of physical trauma to the toddler. The toxicology analysis revealed lethal levels of fentanyl as well as naloxone (Narcan) in the toddler’s bloodstream. The cause of death was determined to be Acute Fentanyl Toxicity. Further analysis also revealed high levels of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the blood of both Price and Ramirez at the time they were arrested.
Although charges have been filed, this remains an active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the San Francisco Police Department Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.
Court Numbers: Price, 26003374, Ramirez, 26003685
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