Mother faces murder chargers after allegedly giving toddler meth

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Mom accused of murder after giving child meth
Mom accused of murder after giving child meth

An Arizona woman is speaking out as she faces murder charges connected to the death of her 22-month-old daughter.

According to Phoenix police, 30-year-old Natalie Renee Russell left a 120-milligram bottle of methadone in reach of her children. Later on April 13, the girl, Adalynn was found unresponsive and the bottle of methadone was empty.

Police are reporting that Russell did not seek medical attention after finding her daughter, but instead searched the internet for a solution.

Russell reportedly told a witness she would give her daughter methamphetamine to stop the effects of the methadone.

The next day, Adalynn was pronounced dead by the Phoenix Fire Department, with "toxic levels of methadone and methamphetamine in her body," according to the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office.

Russell has been charged with first-degree murder and two counts of child abuse, but maintains her innocence.

"I was supposed to protect my children. I take full responsibility for that. I would never give my daughter meth. I will fight that until however long it takes me in here," Russell told ABC15.

These before and after pics show the effects of heroin abuse:

See more on this story:

What happened in the hours before Adalynn died?
What happened in the hours before Adalynn died?

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