Eric Ullrich, 52, of Richmond, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter after his 14-year-old son, Trent Ullrich, died from a fentanyl and xylazine overdose on January 3, 2024. The tragic incident highlights the consequences of drug access and parental neglect in the home.
McHenry County authorities responded to a medical emergency call on January 3, when they found Trent Ullrich unresponsive at the family’s residence on Hillandale Road in Richmond. Despite efforts from paramedics and the quick transport to Northwestern Medicine Hospital, the boy was pronounced dead. An autopsy confirmed that the cause of death was a fentanyl overdose, which medical experts state could have been avoided with immediate treatment.
Following the investigation, Eric Ullrich, who was aware of the overdose but did not seek medical help, was arrested along with his wife, Cara Ullrich, 46. Prosecutors revealed that Eric had “consciously chosen” not to provide care, waiting over 10 hours before calling 911. Additionally, Eric Ullrich was charged with obstructing justice after providing false information to investigators. His wife, Cara, was accused of bringing fentanyl into their home, where the drugs were accessible to their children.
Prosecutors said that had the boy received medical attention during the overdose, he would have survived. Tragically, the failure to act led to his death, making it a preventable incident. Eric Ullrich’s charges were reduced to one count of involuntary manslaughter, in exchange for the dismissal of other charges.
A separate case regarding his communication with a witness also led to further charges for obstructing justice. In total, Eric Ullrich faces a sentence of three to 14 years for involuntary manslaughter and two to five years for witness tampering, with the possibility of consecutive sentences.
McHenry County State’s Attorney, Randi Freese, expressed that this was a preventable death, emphasizing the responsibility of parents to protect their children. The investigation, which led to these charges, was conducted by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.