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A woman is facing a second-degree murder charge in connection with a 2021 drug overdose that left a Carter County man dead.

Misty Denton Bobadilla, 46, of Maryville, was arrested Wednesday in Blount County on a warrant charging her with second-degree murder. The arrest was made with the assistance of the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, and Bobadilla was transported to the Carter County Detention Center, where she is being held on a $250,000 bond.

The charges stem from the death of 41-year-old Elliott Scruggs, of Elizabethton. On September 30, 2021, Carter County deputies responded to a residence on Cedar Grove Road in the Milligan community on a report of a possible cardiac arrest. Emergency medical personnel transported Scruggs to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. An autopsy revealed the cause of death to be fentanyl toxicity.

Investigators obtained text messages from Scruggs’ cellphone that indicated Bobadilla had purchased narcotics for him prior to his death. At the time of his passing, Bobadilla and Scruggs were in a relationship.

“Drugs present a significant danger to our community, particularly fentanyl,” said Carter County Sheriff Mike Fraley. “Our officers are working diligently to slow down the influx of drugs into our community and to identify and prosecute those involved in drug trafficking. If you sell or give drugs to someone who overdoses, you will be held accountable for the consequences.”

The investigation into Scruggs’ death is ongoing.