Great uncle of Haverhill girl who died with fentanyl in her system now charged with rape
Additional charges are possible depending on the medical examiner's ruling, officials said.
The great uncle of the 11-year-old Haverhill girl who died with fentanyl in her system is now charged with rape in addition to the charges he was already facing in connection with her death.Miguel Rivera, 58, of Lawrence, is charged with rape of a child with force stemming from the investigation into the death of Precious Wallaces, according to Carrie Kimball, spokeswoman for Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett’s office. Precious was found unresponsive in Rivera’s home in Lawrence during the early morning hours of Dec. 15; she died in the hospital three days later.Rivera was arraigned on the new charge in Lawrence District Court Tuesday morning during an appearance on the two original charges — misleading a police investigation and permitting substantial bodily injury to a child, Kimball said. He is being held without bail.“We still are waiting on an official cause and manner of death from the medical examiner,” Kimball said, noting that additional charges are possible depending on the medical examiner’s ruling.Police said Rivera was allegedly flushing drugs down the toilet and delayed calling 911 for 13 minutes. He allegedly told officials he was “scared” that Precious had taken his prescription sleeping pills and that’s why he didn’t immediately call. Family members have said Precious spent every weekend at Rivera’s home.
Rivera is scheduled to appear in court on March 13, according to Kimball.
