Mother, boyfriend arrested after 6-year-old child overdoses on fentanyl and tranq

NORRISTOWN, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- A Montgomery County, Pennsylvania mother and her boyfriend have been arrested following the death of the mother's 6-year-old son.

Police say the boy, identified as Dominic Lyons, overdosed on fentanyl and xylazine, a drug also known as tranq.

Kristen Sabatino, 31, and Matthew Santiago, 35, face charges of involuntary manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child.

It was July 16 when officers arrived at their Norristown home and found Sabatino's son dead in his bedroom.

The father of the young boy is still grappling with the loss of his son. Now, he wants justice for his family.

"Six years old, but he touched a lot of people. Always had a smile on his face, very lovable child," said Husayn Lyons.

Investigators say Sabatino and Santiago had a history of drug use. They also allegedly purchased and consumed illegal drugs right before Dominic died.

"I've been asking for a long time what she using, and she kept lying to me. (It) got to the point where she took my son away from me. Her lies and drug addiction. This all could have been prevented," said the boy's father.

"We want justice for my grandson," added the child's nana, Zakiyyah Lyons.

Tyler, Dominic's older brother, says he will never forget their times together. "He loves Ty Ty, that's me. He loves me so much. He looked up to me," he said through tears.

Santiago was arrested on October 25.

Sabatino was arrested on Friday in Lancaster. She is being transferred to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility, where she will be arraigned.