Hailey
Two Kansas defendants — Tara A. Huerta (40) and Kenneth Hedgecock (34) — have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the fentanyl overdose death of a 3-year-old child in Leavenworth, Kansas.
Prosecutors allege the toddler died in March 2025 after exposure to fentanyl inside a Leavenworth apartment.
In addition to murder, both face possession of drug paraphernalia and three counts of opiate possession.
Separate jury trials are planned in March 2026, following pretrial conferences earlier that month.
What investigators and court records say
According to charging documents and case updates, first responders found the toddler unresponsive at the apartment and rushed the child to a hospital, where the child was pronounced dead.
Investigators later reported locating methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl at the scene. Huerta was arrested in August 2025, followed days later by Hedgecock.
Both entered not guilty pleas in Leavenworth County District Court.
Court filings also note separate scheduling tracks: Hedgecock’s pretrial conference on March 6, 2026 (2 p.m.) with a jury trial slated to begin March 9, 2026; Huerta’s pretrial conference on March 27, 2026 (2 p.m.) with a jury trial expected to begin March 30, 2026. Each trial could last up to three days, per court estimates.
Separately, records reflect Huerta received a one-year prison sentence in an unrelated April 2025 Walmart theft case; that conviction is distinct from the homicide matter and does not determine guilt in the toddler’s death.
Key facts at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Leavenworth, Kansas (apartment where child was found unresponsive) |
| Incident date | March 2025 (fatal fentanyl poisoning alleged) |
| Defendants | Tara A. Huerta, 40; Kenneth Hedgecock, 34 |
| Primary charge | First-degree murder in a toddler’s fentanyl overdose |
| Additional counts | Drug paraphernalia possession; three counts of opiate possession |
| Arrests | August 2025 (Huerta first; Hedgecock days later) |
| Pleas | Not guilty (both) |
| Next court dates | Hedgecock: Pretrial Mar 6 2026; Trial Mar 9 2026. Huerta: Pretrial Mar 27 2026; Trial Mar 30 2026 |
| Estimated trial length | Up to three days for each case |
| Related note | Huerta separately sentenced to one year in unrelated theft case (not part of homicide case) |
Why this case matters
The case underscores the continued impact of the fentanyl crisis on families and communities.
Authorities allege the child’s death was caused by exposure to illicit opioids inside the home, highlighting the lethal potency of fentanyl, which can be deadly in trace amounts.
While prosecutors outline evidence collected at the scene — including multiple controlled substances — the defense has asserted not guilty pleas, setting the stage for March 2026 trials where the state must prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt.
What’s next in court
- Motions and discovery: Expect evidentiary motions ahead of the March pretrial dates as both sides contest what the jury can hear.
- Separate juries: Each defendant currently has a separate trial track, which can influence witness sequencing and evidentiary rulings.
- Potential outcomes: Outcomes range from dismissal, plea agreements, or jury verdicts after trial. Sentencing, if any, would follow Kansas statutes for first-degree murder and related drug offenses.
The Leavenworth toddler fentanyl case is advancing toward separate March 2026 jury trials after Tara Huerta and Kenneth Hedgecock entered not guilty pleas to first-degree murder and related drug charges.
With allegations of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine at the scene and a detailed schedule set by the Leavenworth County District Court, the next several months will focus on pretrial motions and preparation.
As with all criminal matters, the defendants remain presumed innocent, and the state bears the full burden of proof at trial.