PW Police look for Gainesville mom after medical examiner raises suspicions about baby’s death

Felony Homicide Investigation – On Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 3:03AM, Prince William County Police officers responded to the Somerset Pointe Apartments located in the 14700 block of Soapstone Dr in Gainesville (20155) to investigate an initial report of an unconscious 20-month-old child. Officers and Fire & Rescue personnel responded to the apartment after the mother of the child, identified as the accused, reported the two were co-sleeping when she woke to find him unconscious. The child was transported to an area hospital where he died.

The child’s body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) in Manassas for further analysis and autopsy. At the time of the death, no suspicious or unusual circumstances were determined to have occurred.

In early August, Prince William County Police Department investigators received preliminary findings from the OCME indicating the child reportedly had a lethal amount of Fentanyl in his blood which caused his death.

During a subsequent interview with the accused, police say she was found in possession of a pill that was later determined to contain Oxycodone and Acetaminophen, which she was not prescribed. The investigation into the death led investigators to believe the child ingested illicit fentanyl at some point between the evening of June 22 and the early morning of June 23. The investigation further revealed the accused had access to and used unprescribed pills believed to be Percocet around the time of the victim’s death.

On December 7, following a review of the finalized OCME report, and upon consultation with the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, investigators obtained arrest warrants for the accused, identified as Tiffany Nicole STOKES. Attempts to have the accused turn herself into police have been unsuccessful.
Wanted:
Tiffany Nicole STOKES, 37, of an unknown address
Described as a black female, 4’9”, 130lbs with black hair and brown eyes
Wanted for felony homicide, felony child neglect, and possession of a scheduled I or II narcotic

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of this person is asked to contact the Prince William County Police Department tipline at 703.792.7000 or submit a webtip to: pwcva.gov/policetip.