SF Couple Facing Murder Charges in Toddler's Fentanyl Overdose Skip Court Hearing

Steve Ramirez and Michelle Price failed to appear for a hearing on new second-degree murder charges in the death of their 2-year-old daughter.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:12pm by

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An extreme close-up photograph of a small white rock against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the fatal dose of fentanyl that led to the toddler's overdose death.A tragic case of alleged parental neglect and the devastating impact of the opioid crisis on families.San Francisco Today

A San Francisco couple charged with second-degree murder in the alleged fentanyl overdose death of their 2-year-old daughter have skipped a court hearing on the new charges. Steve Ramirez, 43, and Michelle Price, 38, were previously charged with felony child endangerment but were freed without having to post bail. The couple has now been issued no-bail warrants for their arrest after failing to appear in court on Thursday.

Why it matters

The case has drawn significant public attention as it highlights the devastating impact of the opioid crisis on families and the challenges of prosecuting drug-related deaths, especially when the defendants are the child's own parents. The couple's failure to appear also raises questions about the bail system and whether it adequately protects public safety.

The details

Court documents show a white rock that tested positive for fentanyl was found near the child's body, along with an expended cartridge of Narcan, the overdose reversal drug. Authorities say the toddler had a fatal level of fentanyl in her blood and was likely dead for several hours before Ramirez alerted the front desk at their supportive housing apartment to call 911. Police say they found drug paraphernalia at the scene and that Ramirez initially fled on his bicycle before being apprehended.

  • The incident occurred on February 12, 2026.
  • The couple was previously charged with felony child endangerment.
  • The new second-degree murder charges were announced on April 16, 2026.
  • The couple failed to appear for a court hearing on the murder charges on April 16, 2026.

The players

Steve Ramirez

A 43-year-old San Francisco resident who is facing second-degree murder charges in the fentanyl overdose death of his 2-year-old daughter.

Michelle Price

A 38-year-old San Francisco resident who is facing second-degree murder charges in the fentanyl overdose death of her 2-year-old daughter.

Brooke Jenkins

The San Francisco District Attorney who announced the new second-degree murder charges against Ramirez and Price.

Peter Fitzpatrick

The attorney representing Steve Ramirez.

Michiko Yamamoto

The attorney representing Michelle Price.

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What they’re saying

“I can assure the court that they are panicked. They are still grieving parents who have become the center point of this media circus.”

— Peter Fitzpatrick, Attorney for Steve Ramirez

“She had assured me she was 'on her way' to the hearing.”

— Michiko Yamamoto, Attorney for Michelle Price

“The court has been waiting all morning for the defendants to appear.”

— Judge Brian Stretch

What’s next

The judge has issued no-bail warrants for the arrest of both Steve Ramirez and Michelle Price, but indicated he would be willing to reconsider the bail issue in the future. The defense attorneys expect their clients to appear before the court at 9 a.m. on Friday.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the devastating impact of the opioid crisis on families and the challenges of prosecuting drug-related deaths, especially when the defendants are the child's own parents. The couple's failure to appear in court also raises questions about the bail system and whether it adequately protects public safety in cases involving alleged violent crimes.