FERNDALE, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The mother of a young girl that died of an overdose in Ferndale last year has pled guilty to manslaughter.

36-year-old Melissa Welch was originally charged with first degree murder, but had it amended after her guilty plea in Whatcom Superior Court on Thursday, July 11.

It stems from the death of her 5-year-old daughter at their home on March 8, 2023, where she was found foaming from her mouth.

Investigators found fentanyl, methamphetamine and methadone in the home in areas that were easily accessible to children. Toxicology results later determined that the girl had a significant level of fentanyl in her system.

Two other men, the girl’s father Michael Doane and Welch’s boyfriend Cody Craig, were present with Welch and her daughter when the girl died, and evidence showed they had used fentanyl at the home. Both men were also found to have distributed fentanyl after her death.

Doane and Craig each have trial confirmation hearings set for July 25.

Welch remains at the Whatcom County Jail without bail until her sentencing on Aug. 15.