Mom demands change after 13-year-old dies from fentanyl
Dylan Brown #DylanBrown
Fentanyl killed 13-year-old Luca Manuel after officials say 19-year-old Ryan Harrison sold him a pill knowing there was a deadly drug inside it. Now Luca’s mother is sharing her son’s story so that others won’t have to lose their loved ones to the deadly drug and to hopefully change the perception around those lost to fentanyl.
“He was such a sweet and kind boy,” said Amanda Faith. “If anyone thinks that it can’t happen to them at all or tries judging our parenting, think again. This is a problem that is in our own backyard, it’s way beyond anything we knew. Just because my son decided to take a pill does not mean he deserved to die.”
In August of 2020, Luca’s father found him dead on the floor of his bedroom. Police would find out that Luca had made contact with someone on social media. It was there where a connection would be made with a drug dealer to buy a pill that officials say Luca thought was “Perc.” It would turn out to contain the lethal and illegal drug fentanyl.
Investigators would look at 19-year-old Ryan Harrison as a suspect. Officials say that the investigation showed Harrison had admitted to police that he knew the deadly drug, fentanyl, was in the pill.
“There are people like that, like Ryan, who prey on younger kids,” said Faith.
Detectives and HSI Agents said they found Harrison’s social media where he advertised and dealt illegal drugs to clients including many minors.
After a search of his home, officials say they found 900 “Perc” pills, codeine syrup, cocaine, and over $30,000. Detectives said the pills found in Harrison’s home all tested positive for fentanyl.
“The only thing that has gotten me through this is trying to help other people,” said Faith.
She has started posting videos on YouTube that show the victims of fentanyl poisoning. She hopes this can change the stigma around victims.
“What happened to my son is so unfortunate and I miss him every minute of every single day and I will for the rest of my life,” said Faith. “But if I can get the word out about fentanyl and help save lives then his death wasn’t for nothing.”
According to the Shasta County District Attorney, Harrison has his arraignment hearing on July 16. His bail is currently set at $1-million.