New details revealed in Savannah infant fentanyl-related death case

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Tuesday in Recorder’s Court, detectives testified about evidence found in a Savannah couple’s home that they say led to their infant’s death.

A Savannah couple charged with murder in their daughter’s fentanyl-related death appeared in court for their first hearing.

Meanwhile, Heather Toinnette Laborde, 36, and Paul Michael Rapkin, 41, both remain behind bars on no bond.

Detectives testified about all of the evidence collected from the couple’s home after their nine-month-old died in November.

Preliminary Hearing for these parents

In November, law enforcement responded to a residence regarding the death of a nine-month-old child, Lea Rapkin. The child was found unresponsive in her crib. The paternal grandmother woke the parents up out of their sleep, and the parents went to check on their daughter, and found her unresponsive.

The crib was located immediately next to the parents’ bed. The grandmother called 911, and the child’s father attempted CPR before EMS arrived.

Officers arrived at approximately 11:00 a.m., and the child was pronounced deceased at Memorial Hospital at 11:56 a.m.

According to the detective, the parents were not tested for drug use when officers arrived. These parents lived with the child’s grandmother in the grandmother’s home.

A search warrant was executed on November 25th. During the search, officers observed drug paraphernalia in plain view, including glass pipes on a nightstand and foil with burnt residue. It all was photographed but not collected as evidence.

No drugs or paraphernalia were seized during the initial search. The detective was unable to state the exact number of glass pipes or Narcan containers seen in the home.

The autopsy was conducted on December 1, and the final report was received on March 26. The manner of death was determined to be accidental, and the cause of death was methamphetamine and fentanyl toxicity.

Laborde and Rapkin were arrested on May 6 and charged with second-degree murder and second-degree child cruelty, and booked into the Chatham County Jail. Following their arrests, both parents declined to provide statements to officers, and requested lawyers.

Toxicology results reflected the presence of methamphetamine, fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, and other related substances. Reported levels included approximately 0.12 mg of fentanyl, a positive result of 20 micrograms, and 2.5 mg of acetyl fentanyl.

A second search warrant was executed for cellular phone evidence. During the investigation, officers documented a pink substance, five glass pipes, aluminum foil containing crystal residue, and four syringes containing mushroom residue.

Mr. Rapkin declined a post-arrest interview, and Heather declined interview requests on three separate occasions.

Investigators testified that additional search warrants were still being sought as part of the ongoing investigation.

Both parents are no stranger to drugs or jail.

Rapkin was arrested in August 2025 by the Georgia State Patrol and charged with DUI drugs and driving under the influence endangering a child, along with failure to maintain a lane.

Laborde has a felony drug conviction on her record. In 2018, she pleaded guilty to felony possession of a controlled substance (heroin), possession of drug-related objects, and possession of marijuana less than one ounce.

Neighbors told WTOC they had suspicions the couple was struggling with substance use but did not come forward. Several said they regret not reporting their concerns sooner.

The case was ultimately bound over to the grand jury. Next it will be looked at by a grand jury for indictment.