MATTAWA — A Mattawa woman was arrested and booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of controlled substance homicide in connection with the death of her 16-year-old daughter in 2024. 

Ashley Perin Sandoval, 40, was arrested April 14 on suspicion of involving a minor in a drug transaction, distribution to people less than 18 years of age and endangerment with a controlled substance in addition to the homicide charge. 

Perin Sandoval allegedly provided drugs to her daughter, Ahna Perin, according to a press release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Kyle Foreman, GCSO public information officer, said investigators have determined that the drugs led to Ahna Perin Sandoval’s overdose. 

“The 16-year-old girl had a history of drug addiction,” Foreman said. “Unfortunately, mother and daughter were doing drugs together. In the case of the Mattawa homicide, investigators believe they have enough evidence that shows the mother supplied the drugs to the daughter.” 

Ahni Perin was found June 4, 2024, by her father in her bedroom of the family home near Mattawa. She was unconscious and not breathing, and was eventually declared dead at the scene. An autopsy determined the acute effects of fentanyl and methamphetamines were the cause of her death, the GCSO press release said.  

Foreman said the evidence indicates Ashley Perin Sandoval was the only family member involved. 

“There’s nothing detectives have found that shows anyone else in the family was involved, but does show a pattern that mother and daughter were both addicted to drugs and had conspired to keep that fact from (Ahni Perin’s father),” he said.  

The Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team was in charge of the investigation. Foreman said investigating deaths related to drug overdoses is one of INET’s jobs. 

“After many months of investigation, evidence accumulated, including text messages and videos, showing Ashley’s pattern of providing or facilitating Ahna’s access to methamphetamine and fentanyl,” the GCSO press release said. “The evidence also shows a pattern of Ashley leaving drugs accessible to Ahna and appearing to include Ahna during a drug transaction.” 

Controlled substance homicide is relatively new, Foreman said; iNET has been investigating controlled substance homicide cases for about two years.  

“If law enforcement can put together the evidence that shows that the person who died from the overdose received drugs from you, then you can be charged with controlled substance homicide,” he said.  

Six cases of suspected controlled substance homicide are under investigation by INET, or have been investigated, since January, the press release said. Eight overdose deaths were investigated in 2023 and 13 in 2024. INET also investigates suspected controlled substance homicides in Adams County. 

"The objective is for the detective to find the person who provided the drugs to the person who died,” Foreman said. “The investigation focuses on trying to find out where the drugs come from, and if detectives can connect the drugs with the person who provided them, then they’ll begin to develop more of a case against that person.” 

Editor's Note: Generally, the Columbia Basin Herald does not publish the names of minor victims of crimes. In this instance, the name has already been made public and has been printed for consistency and clarity. Our sympathies go out to the victim's family and loved ones.