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Father wanted in Bangor toddler's fentanyl-related death

Shane Smith, 31, of Winterport, is wanted for endangering the welfare of a child, the same charge brought Tuesday against the toddler's mother.

BANGOR, Maine — The father of a 1-year-old whose death last October was linked to fentanyl exposure is now wanted by police.

An arrest warrant was issued Friday for Shane Smith, 31, of Winterport, accusing him of the same charge brought against the child's mother.

Police said Smith had been in contact with detectives and had made arrangements to turn himself in. However, they said he did not keep his scheduled meeting and stopped responding to detectives Friday.

Smith faces a charge of endangering the welfare of a child.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Smith is asked to contact their local police department.

Credit: via Bangor Police Department
Shane Smith, 31, of Winterport

Kimberly Nelligan, the mother of Jordynn Nelligan, was arrested Tuesday on the same charge, along with others related to drug possession.

In an exclusive interview Thursday with NEWS CENTER Maine, Nelligan maintained her innocence, saying, "I never rubbed any type of heroin or fentanyl on my daughter's gums." She said she believes it was Smith's drug use that's to blame for Jordynn's death, not her own past use.

EXCLUSIVE: Bangor mom charged in toddler death maintains innocence

According to court documents, Smith told investigators Nelligan routinely rubbed heroin residue on their daughter's gums to help the toddler sleep.

RELATED: Bangor mother allegedly rubbed heroin on daughter's gums

Jordynn died sometime between Oct. 19-20, 2018. Police responded and found her unresponsive around 11 p.m. at Holiday Trailer Park in Bangor. First responders performed CPR and rushed her to the Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, but efforts there to save her were unsuccessful.

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