A judge on Wednesday called Anthony Worthington “the poster child” for what can happen to any child of a drug dealer or drug user.

On Jan. 4, Worthington’s 13-month-old daughter, Raegan, died after ingesting fentanyl contained in a heroin “rock” Worthington had stashed in one of his socks before falling asleep.

“What happened in your home, unfortunately, is not at all unexpected,” said Sylvia Hendon, a judge assigned to the case in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court.

Hendon, who also oversees cases in juvenile court, said she is tasked on a near-daily basis with removing children from drug-infested homes.

“You are simply, at this moment, the poster child for what can happen to every single drug dealer and drug user in our community who has small children,” she said.

Hendon sentenced Worthington to 12 years and nine months in prison. The 40-year-old Colerain Township man pleaded guilty last month to charges including involuntary manslaughter, drug trafficking and tampering with evidence.

The tampering charge was related to Worthington’s actions when police were at his home the day of his daughter’s death. He was told to stay outside, but prosecutors say he leaned into a window and told his wife’s 15-year-old niece to get rid a large amount of methamphetamine that also was in the house.

Police stopped that from happening. 

“Right after these terrible events that he’s seen involving his own, little daughter,” said Assistant Prosecutor Anne Flanagan, “he placed yet another child in harm’s way.”

During the hearing, Worthington said he had been “completely irresponsible.” He said what happened was “a terrible accident.” When his mother and stepfather gave statements on his behalf, at times he bowed his head and wept.

Despite pleading guilty to drug trafficking, he told Hendon he didn’t sell drugs.

At the time of his daughter’s death, he said he earned money fixing and selling vehicles, and occasionally working for his stepfather. He said that allowed him to support his wife and four children – and a drug habit that could cost as much as $200 a week. 

He told Hendon that he asked the teenage girl to get rid of the drugs because he “didn’t want ’em in the house.”

“I knew I was going to jail,” he said.

“At that point you didn’t want them in the house?” Hendon said. “That’s one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever heard.”

Prosecutors say police found more than the bulk amount of methamphetamine in the home, indicating Worthington intended to sell it.

Flanagan also recounted Worthington’s statements in calls from the Hamilton County Justice Center, where he has been held since his arrest.

Worthington talked about people he knows who “owe me money,” she said.

In one call, according to Flanagan, Worthington said he wouldn’t be selling drugs “but for the kids.”

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