In a groundbreaking, deeply original investigation, Scripps News Investigates reveals the alarming and often hidden crisis of children poisoned by fentanyl.

Through meticulous reporting, we uncover hundreds of fatal and nearly-fatal cases nationwide involving the poisoning of babies, toddlers and young children.

Our investigative team shines a light on the cracks in a system that was meant to protect the most vulnerable but instead leaves them in harm's way.

This map shows reported cases of fatal and non-fatal child fentanyl/opioid exposures examined by Scripps News dating back to 2018.

Scripps News gathered these cases via news reports, police reports, court records, state child fatality and near-fatality reviews, medical examiner records, and more sources. Some incidents may appear multiple times if there were multiple children who were reported to be affected.

This map, which was last updated June 23, 2025, is not a comprehensive representation of all fentanyl poisonings that have affected children during this time period; it only represents the reported incidents we could find in the public record.