By Brian Reese
March 7, 2024
Updated March 8, 2024
Source: Wavy News
Photo Source: Unsplash,
Doctor charged after granddaughter’s overdose death in York County dies of heart attack
YORK COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) — A local doctor who was charged with felony child abuse after the overdose death of his granddaughter in 2022 has died of a heart attack.
Timothy Raines’ lawyer Tommy Norment confirmed the development with WAVY on Thursday. The news was first reported by the Virginian-Pilot.
This comes just over a month before Raines, who practiced in Hampton, was scheduled to have a plea hearing in the case on April 23.
Raines’ 22-month-old granddaughter was pronounced dead back on July 7, 2022, and an autopsy later found she died of a fentanyl and xylazine overdose.
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Police initially charged the child’s parents, Anna Raines and Jesse Gunn. Timothy Raines was arrested later that month and charged with one count of child abuse, disregard for life.
Anna Raines and Gunn were sentenced in the case in November 2023 after pleading guilty to charges of voluntary manslaughter and child abuse. Both received 14-year sentences.
Doctors at Sentara removed Zack’s heart after he died, marking the first HIV positive heart donation for the hospital.
“There are over 100,000 people in the United States waiting for an organ transplant," LifeNet Health Executive Vice President Doug Wilson said.
LifeNet Health helped coordinate the organ donation. Wilson said organ donations have a domino effect.
“You’ll help seven people, eight people, nine people and their entire family and workforce will be impacted," said Wilson.
The donation was ultimately made possible thanks to the HOPE Act.
It became law in 2013 and established a research program to allow people with HIV to be organ donors.
Prior to the Act, they weren’t allowed to be donors.
Blankenship said she’s glad she was able to honor her brother’s wish to be an organ donor.
“We really do miss him," said Blankenship.
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