Reporting Lindsey Seavert
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – “Horrified, devastated and emotional” were the only words Jillian Fender says she could think of when she learned she’s been charged for her baby’s death.
Dakota County court records show the West St. Paul mother is charged with criminal vehicular homicide for a crash that injured four people and killed her 3-month-old baby last February.
Fender, 30, is also charged with four counts of criminal vehicular injury after police say she caused a crash on Feb. 11, 2010 in Eagan near Cliff Road. A blood test revealed the presence of five different drugs in Fender’s system, including two controlled substances.
“I am not a druggie. That was driving recklessly that day that killed my daughter,” said Fender.
Fender says she relies on prescription drugs to deal with chronic pain.
“It is legally prescribed to me by a doctor. I had fibromyalgia my whole life — to the point it is really bad pain. The controlled substance was Hydrocodon, and Xanax for my panic attacks, because I have anxiety. That was it,” said Fender, who says her prescriptions only advise to operate machines with caution.
“They are making me out to be some kind of pill-popping junkie that killed my baby,” she said. “I didn’t and I want the world to know that.”
According to the criminal charges, Fender allegedly ran a red light at the intersection, crashing into another vehicle that had the right of way.
The driver of the other vehicle and her son, who was a passenger, were injured. The driver told police she had a green arrow and that she was turning left when Fender’s vehicle pulled out into the intersection and hit their vehicle.
Two adults, Fender’s fiancé Shawn White, along with the couple’s friend and the 3-month-old baby were in Fender’s vehicle at the time of the crash. Everyone required medical attention. One passenger was treated for cracked ribs and a cut on his spleen and another suffered a broken leg. The baby was unresponsive.
White says he carried the baby out of the van, but she soon died from her injuries. Court records show that a witness told police White exited the van too quickly to remove the baby from a car seat.
A search warrant was done of Fender’s vehicle, which revealed that the child’s car seat was not properly installed and the piece that holds the car seat strap in the proper position was broken.
Fender and White argue the car seat was broken upon the impact of the crash.
“Why would I not know my car seat was broken?” said Fender. “That is a lie because she had a snowsuit on. It was extended a little further because of the snow suit on.”
Fender insists the other driver hit her, and says the death of her baby should be punishment enough. She says she will appear in court next month to fight the charges.
“I did not kill my baby. That baby was everything to me, and she was buckled up and everything,” said Fender.
33 Comments
This is very tragic from any angle. Was her impairment visible to the other passengers in her car? Were they, too, under the influence? If they weren’t and she was clearly impaired, one of them should have driven. What a shame.
April 21, 2011 at 12:49 pm | | Report comment
thanks to america’s dependance on prescription drugs, constituting 80% of all prescription drug use in the entire world in america alone, who should we thank for all of this but the powers that be within the medical business industry
April 21, 2011 at 1:23 pm | | Report comment
“A blood test revealed the presence of five different drugs in Fender’s system, including two controlled substances.” Do you know what CONTROLLED means?????
April 21, 2011 at 1:35 pm | | Report comment
A controlled substance is a drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession, and use are regulated by a government. This includes illegal drugs like cocaine, morphine and other drugs dopers like to use for fun.
April 21, 2011 at 1:43 pm | | Report comment
Thank you for clarifying that for the “Realist” here.
April 21, 2011 at 1:46 pm | | Report comment
you notice how they said they found 5 different types but she is saying there was only 2 she took! ” The controlled substance was Hydrocodon, and Xanax for my panic attacks, because I have anxiety. That was it,” said Fender She cant even keep her lies straight with her blood tests!
April 22, 2011 at 9:27 am | | Report comment
Only 2 of them were controlled substances – the presciption drugs hydrocodone (like percocet or similar) and xanax. The otherscould have been over the counter meds or prescriptions that aren’t as tightly regulated.
She didn’t say she only took two. she said that the 2 controlled substances were prescribed for her so she was taking them legally.
June 7, 2011 at 7:08 pm | | Report comment
Oh yes, because nobody should be held accountable for their own actions….lets blame it on anybody besides ourselves.
April 21, 2011 at 2:16 pm | | Report comment
They ought to put her in prison and throw away the key!!!!!! Hope she enjoyed her drugs!!
April 21, 2011 at 1:50 pm | | Report comment
I agree with you put her in prison and throw away the key! It makes me upset when people are stupid enough to get behind the wheel when they are drinking or using and risk other peoples lives out there. Call a cab or something.
April 21, 2011 at 3:33 pm | | Report comment
How is it that capatainobvious is permitted to make comments on this site?
I understand free speech, I also I understand very clearly what defines defamation.
May God rest that baby’s soul.
April 21, 2011 at 2:07 pm | | Report comment
captainobvious, I can’t believe that I am taking the time to reply to you…
But, you are so far off base we cannot understand it…
evidently you and all of your family are perfect and have never had or witnessed anyone with a troubled life… if that is what you call it!
Hopefully you will run across some compassion before it is too late…
In the meantime, please do not post these comments as they bring us all down.
April 21, 2011 at 2:54 pm | | Report comment
Troubled life yes, have they ever drove around town with their newborn, on numerous drugs? No they havn’t listen I understand some doctors like to prescribe drugs, but you still have to be an adult to use them properly, I wish you were a judge so you could let every1 go. who just had a tough time with things, The last thing we want is for people to be responsible for their actions.
April 21, 2011 at 5:08 pm | | Report comment
I just reported that comment. I hate seeing that kind of racism (or discrimination of any kind) on any website. At least WCCO gives us the option of reporting it.
April 21, 2011 at 10:43 pm | | Report comment
why is it always the person at fault who walks away from these accidents unscathed and the innocents who die or suffer severe injuries?
April 21, 2011 at 2:08 pm | | Report comment
The drugs relax them enough that the crash doesn’t effect them as much. Same thing as a drunk falling out of a hotel window from 15 stories up and walking away.
This is NOT medically based, just can’t think of anything else.
April 21, 2011 at 2:14 pm | | Report comment
Hopefully they have the death penalty there in that state, looks like we have a candidate.
April 21, 2011 at 2:38 pm | | Report comment
Rusty, What the heck are you talking about….
Did you get confused about what story or website you are on???
What does your “birther” opinion have to do with this?
Thanks for sharing… NOT! (and I don’t even believe Obama)
April 21, 2011 at 2:58 pm | | Report comment
Rusty, compassion is not a crime.
April 21, 2011 at 3:02 pm | | Report comment
I don’t think Rusty has ever posted something that didn’t get deleted. Truly an idiot.
April 21, 2011 at 4:12 pm | | Report comment
Many prescription drugs have warning labels, warning that the drug may cause drowsiness and/or warning against operating a motor vehicle or other machinery. Muscle relaxers, anti-depressants, and pain medications are just a few. Everyone who takes them needs to pay attention to those warnings. Driving impaired by prescription drugs can get you a DUI the same as driving under the influence of alcohol.
April 21, 2011 at 5:52 pm | | Report comment
So this woman thinks because a drug is prescribed to her by a doctor it is ok to take and drive? Does this woman not realize that the biggest abuse of drugs is prescribed medication. II am almost certain if you are taking 5 different drugs you shouldn’t be operating a car, let alone taking care of a baby. If you need 5 different drugs to get you through the day you should look at what is causing the pain and try to figure out a way to control the pain differently. The sad thing in all this is that a innocent baby died and the one person that should have been protecting her, feels she is not at fault for driving while under the influence and causing the death of her own child. Even in the worst of circumstances some people never learn
April 22, 2011 at 7:38 am | | Report comment
I know for a fact she was at fault! She abuses those meds, she sells and buys! Why do you think she was in Eagan?? I am willing to bank I still have texts in my old phone! I was at the funeral….fake tears! She never had that baby strapped in right! She would say it was too tight for her and put the straps up under her arm pits! God bless baby M and keep her safe under your protective wings!
April 22, 2011 at 9:23 am | | Report comment
if you knew she never strapped that baby in safely, why did you not report it? I hope you can sleep at night for doing absolutely nothing for that babies sake if your comment is true.
April 22, 2011 at 11:07 am | | Report comment
maybe because I never saw her drive away ! I cant report anything when I dont know when she is coming and going! REALLY! You cant call the police and say I think shes going to do this….they wont do anything until she is in her car and gone! Since we dont live in the same building that is kind of difficult! And I think of baby M often! Shes never far from my thoughts!
April 22, 2011 at 11:19 am | | Report comment
am I the only one wondering why someone that has to take so many prescription drugs, which she obviously seems to think is just fine and a great way to get through life, was even allowed to take care of her 3 month old? Did she take the drugs(yes I said drugs becaue that is what they are) while she was pregnant, if so she may have already been doing harm to her baby. She seems very selfish and the only innocent person in this situation is now dead.
April 22, 2011 at 10:57 am | | Report comment
She does think its fine! Some of the meds she was taking were not even prescribed to her! And yes she took the meds while pregnant! Vicodin is technically safe to take in moderation during pregnancy! The others she should not have been taking! Why get pregnant which she planned if your in that much pain you need meds. She has 2 other kids as well. One in this video!
April 22, 2011 at 11:23 am | | Report comment
She was told to operate machinery with extra care while taking the prescribed meds. Failure to do so can result injury to yourself or others. That’s why those subtances are controlled. Yet she didn’t take care with her meds. She herself says she was driving recklessly. Witnesses say she ran a red light. She caused a crash and her baby died. All these actions have a legal consequence and if the violations are severe enough, vehicular homicide is the charge. This appears to merit that charge so yes, you are guility of killing your baby.
April 22, 2011 at 12:34 pm | | Report comment
I suppose the on scene police & investigators have the report all wrong……and then the laws we on the books related to the offense are all wrong, and this woman who should never be allowed to have any children in her care is completely innocent……..wow, do your time, and take responsibility for your actions….we have these laws to maintain some sense of order to protect the rest of us who live according to the law.
April 22, 2011 at 12:51 pm | | Report comment
this is just stupid! So when everyone takes a otc or prescription, read the label to make sure it doesn’t make you drowsy. Some medications can take several weeks for your body to adjust to,so at least you will know if you can take them or not. I don’t know I am so sick of hearing about accidents and someone is always charged with vehicular homicide. What I want to know is when is an accident an accident? Yes she shouldn’t of been driving. Yes you should always make sure your carseat is in working condition. I thought that when you were in an accident with a child in a carseat you aren’t suppose to take them out of the seat.You could cause more damage removing them then letting a trained professional handle it. hmmm.
April 22, 2011 at 4:53 pm | | Report comment
Your not suppose to remove them! The baby flew out of the seat because she was strapped in with the shoulder straps under her pits! She abused and still does abuse pills! She is negligent and that makes it not an accident! Driving under the influence of narcotics is just as dangerous as Drunk Driving! So no this is not an accident….its negligence…her actions led to the injurys suffered by all and the death of the baby!
April 22, 2011 at 5:14 pm | | Report comment
False, it was an accident that resulted in an incident that was worsened by negligence. Facts are facts.
April 22, 2011 at 6:52 pm | | Report comment
Babies and children should not wear snowsuits or coats in their seats. Had she known that and had her seat installed correctly the child may still be alive. Please read your car seats owners manual!
April 22, 2011 at 6:23 pm | | Report comment