A 56-year-old woman has been charged with child endangerment in Ohio after police found the woman allegedly overdosed on heroin and unconscious in her pickup. Her 11-month-old grandson was in the pickup as well.
According to a news report in which the woman spoke with reporters, she had used heroin in the hope of committing suicide. She said that she misses her husband, who recently passed away.
She told the reporter that she didn’t know that heroin would “hit her so fast” when she took it and then put her grandchild in the truck. She said the next thing she remembers is that she pulled into a gas station close to her house to get the baby something to drink.
Police filled in the rest of the story, though. Officers reportedly found the pickup truck pulled up right against some propane tanks. The woman’s foot was allegedly on the brake while she was passed out in the driver’s seat. The baby was in the back seat.
The baby’s father said, “When I got the phone call, I thought it was something with her diabetes. Never in a million years thought it would be that.”
A captain with the Elyria police said that while the woman is certainly in trouble with the law, the most troubling thing is what could have happened. He said that the results could have been disastrous and he hopes the woman gets some help.
The woman has posted a $1,000 bond and her next court date is set for Sept. 27. It is not known if additional charges will be forthcoming.
If you are facing drug charges and there are extenuating circumstances, it’s important to explain that to your attorney. He or she can help create a criminal defense strategy that may help mitigate the possible penalties.
Source: cleveland.19, “Elyria grandmother arrested after alleged heroin incident with baby in car,” Catherine Bosley, Sep. 22, 2016