A Chillicothe woman facing serious drug-related charges appeared in Livingston County Circuit Court on April 22. Tehya Renae Kelley, 27, is charged with involuntary manslaughter and four counts of delivering a controlled substance.
The charges stem from an October 2021 incident involving the death of a 17-year-old girl who reportedly ingested counterfeit pills. Authorities allege that Kelley was involved in distributing the substances linked to the fatal overdose.
In October 2021, Chillicothe, Missouri, faced a tragic incident highlighting the dangers of counterfeit pills. A 17-year-old girl was found unresponsive in the 400 block of Cherry Street and was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigations revealed she had ingested counterfeit prescription pills, which often contain lethal substances like fentanyl. The victim was Faith Cerinity Richardson, 17, a resident of Cameron, Missouri, who died Oct. 17, 2021 in Chillicothe. She was a student at Cameroon High School.
Authorities arrested two individuals in connection with her death. Kelley, who was 23 at the time, was charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter and four counts of delivering a controlled substance. Jeremiah Trimaine Horton, 32, faced three counts of delivering a controlled substance. Both were held without bond at the Daviess-DeKalb County Regional Jail.
The Chillicothe Police Department, with assistance from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri State Highway Patrol, executed a search warrant at the suspects’ residence on Polk Street. They discovered additional counterfeit pills and other controlled substances.
Kelley’s attorney requested a continuation at her most recent trial and the case is now scheduled for May 1. Kelley remains in custody at the Caldwell County Detention Center without bond.
This incident underscores the growing threat of counterfeit pills in small communities in the area. Authorities urge residents to discuss the dangers of these substances with friends and family. This case underscores the dangers of counterfeit drugs and the legal consequences of their distribution. Law enforcement continues to investigate and address the proliferation of such substances in the community.
