Mother Sentenced to Prison for Sneaking Fentanyl into Juvenile Hall

Jeny Morenoparra pleaded no contest to bringing drugs into a detention facility

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A 42-year-old mother has been sentenced to 16 months in state prison for attempting to sneak fentanyl into a Sylmar juvenile hall in 2023 to visit her child who was housed there. Jeny Morenoparra pleaded no contest last month to a felony count of bringing drugs or alcohol into a prison, jail or detention facility.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of keeping illegal and dangerous drugs out of juvenile detention facilities, where they can pose a serious threat to the health and safety of young offenders. Fentanyl in particular is an incredibly potent opioid that has contributed to a rise in overdose deaths nationwide.

The details

In 2023, Morenoparra was contacted by a supervising deputy probation officer and found to be in possession of more than 30 pills that tested positive for fentanyl. She was initially arrested that year but released without charges until the case was reviewed in May 2025. Morenoparra was then taken into custody in July 2025 by the Los Angeles County Probation Department's Special Enforcement Operations Team.

  • In 2023, Morenoparra was initially contacted and arrested for attempting to bring fentanyl into the juvenile hall.
  • In May 2025, the case against Morenoparra was reviewed and charges were filed.
  • On July 11, 2025, Morenoparra was taken into custody by the Los Angeles County Probation Department.
  • On February 19, 2026, Morenoparra was sentenced to 16 months in state prison.

The players

Jeny Morenoparra

A 42-year-old mother who was charged with attempting to sneak fentanyl into a Sylmar juvenile hall in 2023 to visit her child who was housed there.

Nathan Hochman

The Los Angeles County District Attorney who stated that Morenoparra was "accused of attempting to introduce fentanyl, an incredibly dangerous drug, endangering the very child she came to visit as well as potentially many of the other juveniles in the facility."

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What they’re saying

“The defendant, a mother of one of the facility's residents, is accused of attempting to introduce fentanyl, an incredibly dangerous drug, endangering the very child she came to visit as well as potentially many of the other juveniles in the facility.”

— Nathan Hochman, Los Angeles County District Attorney

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Jeny Morenoparra out on bail pending her appeal.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of keeping dangerous drugs out of juvenile detention facilities, where they can pose a serious threat to the health and safety of young offenders. It also raises questions about the need for stronger security measures and drug interdiction efforts in these facilities to protect vulnerable youth.