Kelli Smith sentenced to 18 years in Carlsbad grandson overdose death

A judge sentenced Kelli Smith of Carlsbad to 18 years in prison for her grandson’s overdose death. The punishment concludes the second prosecution tied to the fatal 2021 drug exposure of the 12-year-old child.

Police arrested the 58-year-old woman in 2021. Officers discovered Brent Sullivan dead from a fentanyl overdose inside a family shed.

District Attorney Dianna Luce of the 5th Judicial District said she felt pleased with the outcome. Luce said, “This is justice. Finally justice for Brent.”

Smith is the second person sent to prison for the boy’s death. Her daughter, Alexis Smith, was also arrested.

Luce said adults at the Carlsbad property delayed calling 911 when finding the boy. Luce said, “To find him (Bret) with the full, the little tube, the pill, all in that shed where he died they immediately knew what it was, they knew to get Narcan, but they delayed in calling 911.”

Prosecutors presented text messages and jail calls during the Wednesday hearing, Luce said. The records showed Smith admitted having drugs in the home. Smith mentioned moving a drug stash and moving the body before police arrived.

A detective got choked up on Wednesday while testifying about performing CPR on Sullivan, Luce said. Luce said, “I think the toll it took on law enforcement will carry forward a long time. The law enforcement officers that were the first on scene that performed CPR on Bret.”

Luce said she hopes the outcome encourages treatment for substance abuse. Luce said, “I hope what comes out of this case is there’s more treatment available for people with addiction. That we get law enforcement the funding and tools that they need to get some of these drugs off of the street, they can’t stop everything.”

Smith did not speak during her sentencing hearing. She submitted a statement claiming she was innocent. Smith will appeal her conviction.

A court found Alexis Smith guilty on two counts of child abuse. She received a 14-year prison sentence. She is also appealing her conviction.

A district attorney prosecutes criminal cases on behalf of the state government. Defendants convicted in state district court hold the legal right to challenge findings through an appeals court. Appeals evaluate trial proceedings rather than gathering new witness testimony.

The Carlsbad police case resulted in prison terms for both family members involved in the incident.