Salem man sentenced to six years in prison after his young daughter died of fentanyl overdose

September 5, 2024, 4:47 p.m. • Last updated: September 5, 2024, 4:47 p.m.

A judge in New London on Thursday sentenced a Salem man whose 1-year-old daughter died of a fentanyl overdose in 2022 to six years in prison.

Travis J. Schubel, 39, had previously pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter and endangering minors in connection with the death of his daughter on February 8, 2022. On Thursday, he also pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The infant was found unconscious and in “dilapidated condition” in Schubel's home. Police said they found open containers of alcohol, baggies of fentanyl, methadone, needles and other drug paraphernalia.

The child's death was ruled a homicide due to “acute poisoning by fentanyl and xylazine.” Xylazine is a sedative that is sometimes mixed with fentanyl to prolong the euphoric effects of the drugs. Police suspect the child came into contact with the drugs at home.

Ricki J. Thomas, the child's mother, who also lived in the home, remains on $750,000 bail and faces similar charges to Schubel. She is scheduled to appear in New London Superior Court on Sept. 12.

Schubel has multiple convictions in seven previous cases between 2017 and 2019, including assault, drug possession, driving under the influence, probation violation and other charges. Until his conviction in this case, his longest previous prison sentence was one year.

There are seven other cases pending against him in which he is accused of numerous charges including failure to appear in court, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, drug possession, evading responsibility and driving with a suspended license or driving without a license.