Tragedy struck Westmoreland County as a two-year-old child overdosed on illicit drugs while under the care of a local couple. Details emerged after the Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli’s Office released a statement, revealing that Monessen police were summoned on Oct. 4 because of the overdose, as per WPXI. The toddler was immediately rushed to UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, where tests confirmed the presence of cocaine and fentanyl in the child's system.
The subsequent police investigation led to the discovery of multiple drug paraphernalia at a house in Monessen, including blue glassine baggies, a smoking pipe, two stamp bags, a scale, two baggies with powder residue, and a case of THC cartridges. A field test later identified the residue as cocaine, and responding officers served a search warrant where they found several items of concern, as reported by WTAE. Sable Ford and Travis Holmes were implicated in the incident. They had told investigators they suspected the child ingested a baggie found in the yard, leading to the overdose symptoms.
In line with these findings, both Ford and Holmes have been charged with endangering the welfare of children, criminal conspiracy, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance. They are currently detained on a $50,000 bail.
