NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — Authorities are prosecuting the parents of a child who died a year ago of fentanyl poisoning.

Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley on Monday announced that Belen Marie Shroyer, 42, of Napa, has been charged with murder and child abuse in connection with the 2024 death
of her 3-year-old son, Zayden Schultz.

Shroyer and her co-defendant Timothy Daniel Schultz, 47, of Napa, the boy’s father who is charged with child abuse, face several allegations linked to the death of their son. 

Those allegations include that they willfully caused harm or injury resulting in Zayden’s death; that the crimes exhibited violence, cruelty, viciousness or callousness; involved a vulnerable victim; that they were in a position of trust; that the crimes represent an escalation in criminal behavior; and that they have had prior poor performance on probation or parole.

On the evening of Aug. 15, 2024, Napa County Sheriff’s deputies went to a home on the 1600 block of Mary C Drive, Napa, in response to a report of a child who was not breathing.

Despite life-saving efforts, the toddler was pronounced dead at Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center. Zayden, who was under the care of his parents at the time of his death, died from fentanyl poisoning.

Napa County Chief Deputy District Attorney Taryn Hunter appeared in court Monday afternoon on behalf of the people for an arraignment hearing in which the court assigned counsel to both
Defendants.

Napa County Superior Court Judge Elia Ortiz ordered the defendants back to court on Friday, Aug. 8, 8:30 a.m., in Department 1 for the entry of a plea and the setting of a preliminary hearing. 

Schroyer is being held at the Napa County Department of Corrections without bail and bail for Schultz is $1 million.