Authorities say an 11-year-old Massachusetts girl who died days after going into medical distress at her great uncle's house had fentanyl in her system.
Not guilty pleas to charges including permitting substantial bodily injury to a child were entered on behalf of 58-year-old Miguel Rivera at his arraignment Tuesday. He was held without bail.
Rivera is charged in the Dec. 18 death of Precious Wallaces, who died days after she awoke struggling to breathe at her great uncle's Lawrence apartment.
Police say Rivera waited 13 minutes before calling 911 as he flushed drugs down the toilet.
Rivera told police he feared Precious had taken his prescription sleeping pills and he didn't call 911 right away because he was "scared."
Rivera's family said he watched Precious every weekend and loved her.
