In North Carolina, two parents are facing child abuse charges after their 22-month-old child had a close call with an opiate overdose, as announced by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office.
According to a report from WSOC-TV, this young child's life may have been in danger if it weren't for the quick thinking of their teenage sister. Detective Karcin Vick-Dunn explained that the toddler accidentally got hold of a small amount of fentanyl, and his sister noticed he was struggling to breathe.
Vick-Dunn told the TV station, "The teenage sibling definitely saved that little one's life."
Upon the arrival of first responders, they administered Narcan, a medication used to counteract opioid overdoses, and then rushed the toddler to the hospital, where he is now in stable condition.
The parents, Shiann Hartsell, aged 30, and Justin Hopkins, also 30, are facing several charges, including felony child abuse causing serious bodily injury, felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance, felony maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/place for the use of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Additionally, Hopkins has been charged with possession of a firearm as a felon.
Both parents are currently held in custody at the Stanly County Jail, but it's not clear whether they've entered a plea or hired a lawyer.
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453 or visit www.childhelp.org. The hotline is toll-free, confidential, and available 24/7 in over 170 languages.
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