A suspect was arrested after a 10-year-old boy died from overdosing on illegal narcotics.
In December 2024, San Bernardino County deputies responded to reports of an unresponsive child in the 9000 block of Arrow Route in Rancho Cucamonga.
Authorities arrived at the scene and despite life-saving efforts, the child was pronounced dead. He was identified as Nathaniel Castro Mendoza, 10.
The case remained under investigation and in February 2025, the San Bernardino County Coroner determined the child died from fentanyl and xylazine toxicity.
Investigators identified the suspect in the boy’s death as Christina Alvarez, 32, of Rancho Cucamonga. Authorities said she allegedly “possessed and stored fentanyl in a manner that led to the [child’s] death.”
On March 14, Alvarez was taken into custody and charged with child endangerment by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office. She is being held on $100,000 bail.
No further details, including the circumstances surrounding the boy’s death or Alvarez’s connection to the child, were released. A preliminary court hearing is scheduled for April 1.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to call the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department at 909-387-8400. Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com.
