A 1-year-old child is hospitalized in critical condition after being poisoned by fentanyl in a Washington County home. Two men now face federal drug charges.

Dayan Jaciel Mencia-Archaga and Ronald Fabricio Ochoa-Hernandez, both 22, were arrested Aug. 22 on federal allegations of fentanyl distribution and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute. U.S. Magistrate Judge John Jelderks ordered both held without bail on Aug. 25 after a court appearance. Their lawyers did not challenge detention.

Paramedics and officers responded to the home and found the child unresponsive, according to a federal affidavit reported by OregonLive. First responders administered Narcan, an opioid overdose reversal drug, and performed CPR before transporting the child to OHSU Hospital in critical condition.

Fentanyl, amphetamines and benzodiazepines were found in the child's system, the affidavit states.

How the drugs reached the home

The child's father told investigators he purchased an ounce of fentanyl for a friend and an eighth of an ounce for himself as payment for obtaining the drug. He said he met the dealer near Southeast 32nd Avenue and Market Street in Portland on Tuesday, Aug. 18. Both parents used some of the fentanyl, according to the affidavit.

Ochoa-Hernandez admitted to selling about three grams of fentanyl to the father for $150 and confirmed the Aug. 18 meeting, the affidavit states. Detectives allege Mencia-Archaga organized the delivery.

Multi-agency investigation

The case involved an FBI-led multi-agency task force that included Multnomah County Sheriff's Office investigators and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Multnomah County investigators had already been tracking the suspected dealers and placed a device on one of their vehicles in early August. By Aug. 21, the tracker's signal indicated it was in the Columbia River. Investigators believe their targets discovered it.

After their arrest, Mencia-Archaga and Ochoa-Hernandez were interviewed with a Spanish-speaking interpreter at the DEA's Portland office.

FBI task force member Kyle Beam noted in the affidavit that "fentanyl is particularly dangerous for infants because it is up to 100 times stronger than morphine."

As of Aug. 25, the child remained hospitalized, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Kerin. No update on the child's condition has been released since.

Washington County investigators continue to investigate the child's poisoning. The specific location of the home within Washington County has not been disclosed.

Local overdose prevention resources

Washington County Behavioral Health and 4D Recovery are hosting a free naloxone training and overdose awareness event Saturday, Aug. 29, from 3–5 p.m. at the 4D Recovery O'Rourke Center, 362 SW Oak St. in Hillsboro.

Residents who witness a suspected overdose should call 911. Free Narcan is available at many Washington County pharmacies and community organizations.