WESTFIELD – Numerous media outlets have been reporting that a Westfield mother, whose 1-year-old was treated for a heroin overdose, will be charged.
The reports initially seemed unsubstantiated and were based on information that got leaked to a Boston news outlet. As The Westfield News attempted to verify the facts, the Westfield Police and District Attorney’s Office wouldn’t confirm nor deny the information.
Westfield District Court’s Clerk Magistrate’s Office said on Friday that a closed show cause hearing was requested for Shannon Lea, the mother of the child who just turned one last month.
If enough evidence is found to charge Lea then she could be arraigned on charges of child endangerment after April 19, according to a member of the Clerk Magistrate’s Office who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The Westfield News broke the story on March 28 reporting that Westfield Police were called to Baystate Noble Hospital on March 25 where a one-year-old was being treated for a heroin overdose.
A call came in at 8:42 p.m. Friday night for “officer wanted,” according to police logs.
The logs state: “Baystate Nobler ER is reporting a one-year-old male child overdose victim of heroin.
“The patient was brought in by (his) mother.”
The Westfield Detective Bureau responded to the call, reporting to the hospital and to the home address to “secure the scene,” according to police logs.
Allegedly empty heroin bags and drug paraphernalia were found during that search.
Westfield Police Capt. Michael McCabe told The Westfield News on March 28 that, “It appears to be an accidental opioid overdose.”
The baby’s father has been telling the press that his child couldn’t have overdosed on an opioid.
The child had to be revived using Narcan, which is used to reverse the effects of an opiate overdose.
Narcan is only effective if someone has overdosed on heroin or any opiate such as oxycodone or fentanyl, Westfield Fire Capt. Seth Ellis said during an interview in February.
Media sources are reporting that the one-year-old was removed from the Lea’s custody and placed into state custody near the end of March.
Lea was protected by the 9-1-1 Good Samaritan Law, so she couldn’t be arrested or charged with any crime when she brought her son in for treatment.
The Good Samaritan Law “ensures that those who call 911 to report an overdose for themselves or others will not be charged with the possession or use of opiates,” according to Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni’s Office.
On Friday, McCabe said that if after an investigation is conducted and contributory factors seem to be at play then charges may be filed later but only after an investigation has been conducted.
Staff Writer Christine Charnosky can be reached at [email protected]
Follow me on Twitter @charnoskyWNG
