• A 23-year-old mother, Riley Wormington, was arrested in Denver after a year on the run following her 2-year-old daughter's fentanyl-related death.
  • Wormington faces charges including second-degree murder, felony child abuse, and drug-related offenses.
  • She is currently in custody in Denver, awaiting extradition to North Carolina to face prosecution.

A 23-year-old mother is now in custody after her 2-year-old daughter's tragic death due to fentanyl ingestion shocked a North Carolina community. Arrested by local and federal law enforcement in Denver, Riley Wormington faces serious charges, including second-degree murder and felony child abuse.

Authorities had been searching for Wormington for over a year, following the deadly incident in February 2024. After an extensive investigation, she fled North Carolina but was finally captured this week near 38th and Blake Streets in Denver.

How Authorities Caught Her

The U.S. Marshals Service, alongside the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and Englewood Police Department, worked together to locate and arrest Wormington. According to Mooresville Police, she moved out of state after giving birth to her second child, evading law enforcement while investigations continued.

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10

MORE NEWS: America’s Car Dealership Squeeze Is Getting Real

“Shortly after delivering her second child, she left North Carolina,” Mooresville PD stated. “We appreciate the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance in bringing her to justice.”

The Charges She Faces

Wormington’s charges are severe. She has active warrants for:

  • Second-degree murder
  • Felony child abuse
  • Felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance
  • Felony maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia

Additional warrants were issued after the birth of her second child, raising even more questions about her actions.

Her Connection to Colorado

While Wormington seems to have ties to Colorado, her reasons for being there remain unclear. Public records show she previously received traffic violations in Adams County (2023) and Arapahoe County (2020). A 2023 warrant from North Carolina for failing to appear in court also listed an address in Brighton, Colorado.

What Happens Next

Currently held in the Denver Downtown Detention Center, Wormington awaits an extradition hearing. She will be transferred back to Iredell County, North Carolina, to face the charges stemming from her daughter’s death.

Readers, What Do You Think?

Did law enforcement handle this case effectively? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Don’t forget to share this article from The Dupree Report to keep others informed about this developing case.

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10