Tyler Benavidez of Kaufman, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple felony charges related to drug trafficking, child endangerment, and probation violations, following a fentanyl overdose involving his 11-month-old son, Bentley.
Benavidez had been under surveillance by the Grand Prairie Police Department for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl. During the investigation, Bentley was found unresponsive at a La Quinta Inn where Benavidez and the child’s mother were repackaging and distributing narcotics. The child was revived by first responders using Naloxone and survived the overdose.
Investigators discovered that Benavidez and his girlfriend had rented two rooms at the motel—one allegedly intended to keep the baby separated from the narcotics. However, authorities found baby bottles and toys alongside drugs and a firearm in both rooms. The child’s mother had left Bentley unattended while doing laundry when the overdose occurred.
Benavidez was on probation for six previous cases out of Dallas County, including three robbery charges and multiple counts of manufacturing and delivery of controlled substances. He chose to plead guilty ahead of a scheduled contested revocation hearing. The child’s mother had already been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The charges included:
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Manufacture/Delivery of Methamphetamine (4–200g) with a Deadly Weapon
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Manufacture/Delivery of Cocaine (4–200g) with a Deadly Weapon
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Injury to a Child
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Multiple Probation Revocations: Robbery (3 counts), and several narcotics cases
The investigation was led by the Carrollton and Grand Prairie Police Departments, with assistance from DA Investigator Tom Naulty.
Benavidez was found guilty and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
