Bodycam video shows toddler (Ariel) at homeless camp months before she died from fentanyl in Nashville

FOX 17 News has obtained exclusive body camera footage from a Metro Police officer showing toddler Ariel Rose inside Brookmeade Park’s homeless encampment just months before she died.

The autopsy report shows Ariel died from fentanyl toxicity back in November 2022 after a babysitter found Ariel unresponsive at a housing site in North Nashville. The examiner found Ariel had more than twelve times the lowest reported lethal dose of fentanyl in her system.

Metro Police is investigating Ariel’s death as a criminally negligent homicide case.

The body camera footage shows a Metro officer frustrated when he sees Ariel at Brookmeade Park.

“Jonathan, that kid is not supposed to be here. Why are you even here with that kid here anyway?” asks the officer.

At the time, Brookmeade Park was one of the biggest homeless encampments in Nashville, known for drugs, crime, and fires.

“So, you know I’m gonna tell DCS that kid’s here, right? I mean, there are a lot of things you could do that would be better than this,” says the officer.

Back in November, FOX 17 News spoke with Mickey and Michael Rose, Ariel’s grandfather and uncle, who said they saw Ariel and her father, Jonathan, living at Brookmeade.

“It was traumatic. No child should live in those conditions,” says Michael.

Michael and Mickey’s attorneys declined our request for an interview on this footage.

But in the video, the Metro officer says he’s had a history with Ariel’s father before.

“That child is in danger in here,” says the officer.

“Yes, sir, I guess having a father is not that important,” says the woman staying in the tent with Jonathan and Ariel.

“Well, having one and having one that plays the role correctly are two different things,” replies the officer.

The Metro Officer then sees a drug needle on the ground right in front of Ariel’s tent, saying he was going to report this all to DCS right after he left.

A previous FOX 17 News investigation revealed family members, Metro’s Homeless Impact Division, nonprofits, community members, and Metro Police all tried reaching out to DCS.

So, what did DCS do to try and help Ariel? Did they fail her? We are waiting on a response from DCS.

Ariel’s grandfather and uncle also want to hold the owner and tenant of the building she died at accountable and feel they could’ve done more to prevent this.