Man is convicted in the fentanyl overdose death of Red Wing teen Jaydon Neuffer

RED WING, Minn. — The man responsible for a Minnesota teen death from fentanyl overdose will be sentenced on Friday.

Deshawn Smith, 46, pleaded guilty earlier this month to third-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter and second-degree drug sale.

Smith provided 14-year-old Jaydon Neuffer with the drugs that killed him in January 2023.

WCCO’s Jennifer Mayerle spoke with the boy’s mother, Tara Neuffer, last year.

‘He was the sweetest, kindest boy ever. He would go out of his way to help anyone,” Tara Neuffer said.

She said her son likely turned to the drug to fit in socially.

“I never thought this would ever be my journey. I would rather have Jaydon back, but that’s not possible,” she said.

Smith’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Goodhue County District Court. He faces a prison sentence of ten years.

NOTE: The original air date of the video for this article is September 20, 2023.