A Salina woman is facing serious charges after a heartbreaking incident in which a 4-month-old infant died with methamphetamine found in his system while under her care.
Amanda Gayle Boyd, 42, has been charged with several crimes, including possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia for use in the human body, possession of marijuana, and aggravated child endangerment.
Court records reveal that on April 25, 2024, Boyd allegedly placed the infant, Elijah Hugh Wedel, in a dangerous situation that ultimately proved fatal. The child was rushed to a local hospital and tragically passed away the following day after showing no brain activity. An autopsy later confirmed the presence of methamphetamine in the baby’s system.
Elijah’s grieving mother, Randi Freeman, shared that Boyd had been babysitting her son at her home in Salina when a neighbor called 911. Emergency responders discovered the baby facedown in his crib and noted the presence of drug paraphernalia in the home, raising further concerns about the environment in which Elijah was cared for.
Freeman expressed her heartbreak and determination to seek justice for her son. “Getting his story out there so other mothers can see that even if you think it’s not going to happen to you, it can,” Freeman said.
Boyd remains in the Saline County Jail and is scheduled to make her next court appearance on January 27. As Freeman fights to honor Elijah’s memory, she hopes the story serves as a warning to other parents about the dangers that can arise even in trusted care environments.
This devastating case has shed light on the tragic consequences of substance abuse and child neglect, leaving a community mourning the loss of a young life.
