Woodland Hills Man, 23, Charged With Murder In Boy's Heroin Death

VAN NUYS (CBSLA.com) — A 23-year-old Woodland Hills man was charged with murder and other felony charges on Friday in connection with the death of a 13-year-old boy who died from a heroin injection.

Brett Michael Cronin was charged in Van Nuys Superior Court with one count each of murder, furnishing or administering heroin to a minor and child abuse.

The victim — believed to be Timothy Matthews — was reportedly a friend of Cronin's 14-year-old younger brother who was spending Monday night at his home on Manton Avenue.

While initial report claimed Cronin administered the drug after he and the victim went into a bathroom at the home, police on Friday clarified that the boy likely injected himself.

Police said Cronin failed to call paramedics until nearly 8 hours after the boy was injected and was experiencing convulsions. He was found dead when paramedics arrived at the home.

Cronin is being held on $1 million bail. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole.