Wisconsin Mother Found Guilty in Toddler’s Fentanyl Death and Jail Drug Smuggling Case

APPLETON, Wis. — Brooke Seal, a 29-year-old mother, was convicted on Tuesday for the tragic drug overdose death of her 2-year-old daughter, Rosalie Garcia, as well as smuggling drugs into the Outagamie County Jail. Seal was found guilty of neglecting a child, leading to her death, and possessing an illegal article. She will be sentenced on March 24, 2025.

The Heartbreaking Death of Rosalie Garcia

In January 2024, the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office responded to a distress call from a home on Liberty Lane in Freedom, Wisconsin. First responders arrived at the scene and found Rosalie Garcia, a 2-year-old girl, unresponsive. Despite efforts to save her, Rosalie was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The cause of death was later determined through toxicology reports, which revealed that Rosalie had died from exposure to fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid. The investigation revealed that the young girl had access to fentanyl, though it remains unclear how she ingested the deadly drug.

How Did Fentanyl End Up in the Home?

According to the criminal complaint, Seal had allowed a drug dealer, Faheem Jones, to temporarily stay in her apartment. The complaint stated that Seal failed to take the necessary steps to protect her daughter from exposure to fentanyl, despite knowing the risks.

The investigation uncovered evidence of drug use within Seal’s apartment. Police discovered a metal tray, burned foil, and a plastic pen tube with dark residue, all items typically associated with drug use. These items were found near Seal’s bed, where Rosalie had been sleeping. Additional drug paraphernalia was located near the kitchen sink, further linking the apartment to drug use.

Furthermore, Seal’s phone contained messages indicating that she had attempted to purchase fentanyl from Jones just hours before Rosalie’s death. This evidence suggested that Seal’s actions had directly contributed to her daughter’s exposure to fentanyl, ultimately leading to the child’s tragic death.

Faheem Jones and His Role in the Case

Faheem Jones, who was staying at Seal’s apartment at the time, was charged with five counts, including fentanyl possession. However, he has not been charged in connection with Rosalie’s death. Jones is scheduled to return to court on January 22, 2025, for a pre-trial conference.

During the investigation, police discovered a backpack in the apartment’s laundry room that contained a stolen gun, ammunition, and a plastic bag filled with 1,414 fentanyl pills. Jones claimed he was at the apartment to do laundry, but the evidence found at the scene painted a much more troubling picture.

The Jail Smuggling Incident

In addition to her involvement in her daughter’s death, Seal was also convicted for smuggling drugs into the Outagamie County Jail. After her arrest for the overdose death, Seal was taken to jail on January 31, 2024. Just days later, a syringe containing fentanyl and methamphetamines was found in a holding cell. Surveillance footage revealed that Seal had been in the same location where the syringe was later discovered, raising suspicion that she may have smuggled the drugs into the jail.

Further investigation revealed that Seal had likely hidden the syringe in her body cavity. The jail’s body scan images, although of poor quality, showed a difference between her first scan and a subsequent one, suggesting that the syringe was concealed within her body.

Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department officials confirmed that proper protocols were followed during Seal’s booking process. However, they acknowledged the difficulty in detecting the syringe due to the low-quality body scan images.

The Conviction and Legal Consequences

Brooke Seal was convicted of neglecting her child, resulting in death, and possessing an illegal article in connection with the fentanyl overdose death of her daughter, Rosalie Garcia. The jury determined that Seal’s actions directly endangered her daughter’s health and led to the child’s tragic death. Seal will be sentenced on March 24, 2025, and faces the possibility of up to 40 years in prison.

Despite the conviction, some questions remain unanswered, particularly regarding how Rosalie had access to the fentanyl and whether Seal’s actions were deliberate or the result of negligence. Faheem Jones, the drug dealer who had stayed in Seal’s apartment, faces charges related to fentanyl possession, but has not been held responsible for Rosalie’s death.

A Grieving Family and a Community in Shock

The death of 2-year-old Rosalie Garcia has left a lasting impact on her family and the community. The loss of such a young life has sparked conversations about the dangers of fentanyl and the responsibility of parents to protect their children from harm. Local officials have called for increased awareness of the opioid crisis and its devastating effects on families.

As the case moves toward sentencing, the community remains hopeful that justice will be served for Rosalie and her family. Meanwhile, the legal process continues for Faheem Jones, who will soon face court for his role in the case.

Looking Ahead

The case of Brooke Seal and the death of Rosalie Garcia serve as a tragic reminder of the dangers of fentanyl and the importance of responsible parenting. While the investigation has uncovered key details about Seal’s actions, many questions remain unanswered. The legal proceedings are expected to continue as the justice system works to hold those responsible accountable for the child’s death.

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