The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office has concluded a comprehensive investigation into the repeated poisoning of an infant child, resulting in a guilty plea and prison sentence for the child’s mother.
In May 2025, detectives initiated an investigation after receiving information that a 14-month-old child had suffered multiple unexplained medical emergencies. The child was hospitalized on multiple occasions in both Nevada and Utah, raising concerns of possible intentional poisoning.
Specialized toxicology testing later confirmed the presence of a prescription medication not prescribed to the child. Through investigative interviews and evidence review, detectives determined the medication originated from within the family home.
The investigation revealed that Alesha Marie Martin, 25, intentionally administered the prescription medication to her child on multiple occasions throughout May 2025, including while the child was hospitalized. Martin ultimately confessed to administering the medication, acknowledging that her actions caused repeated medical crises that placed the child’s life in danger.
Martin was arrested and charged with felony child abuse/neglect and multiple counts of willfully poisoning or adulterating food, water, or medicine. The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office successfully prosecuted the case.
Martin ultimately plead guilty to the felony offense of willfully poisoning or adulterating food, water, or medicine. On January 13, 2025, she was sentenced in the Second Judicial District Court to a maximum term of ten years in a Nevada state prison. She will be eligible for parole after serving four years.
“The work required to bring cases like this forward for prosecution demands patience, precision, and a deep commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community. The detectives’ efforts in this case were critical to bringing the investigation to a successful conclusion, and I want to thank the medical professionals, child welfare partners, and prosecutors whose coordinated efforts helped ensure the child’s safety and accountability in this case.” — Sheriff Darin Balaam
