WESTFIELD – The mother of the one-year-old who was treated for a reported heroin overdose in March will be arraigned on charges in Westfield District Court on May 5.
The clerk at Westfield District Court’s Clerk Magistrate Office said Wednesday that the specific charges or any other information about the case cannot be released until Shannon Lea is arraigned.
Westfield Police Capt. Michael McCabe likewise said he cannot comment on the case.
Lea had a closed show-cause hearing this week to determine whether there was enough evidence to file charges against her.
Lea brought her one-year-old son to Baystate Noble Hospital on March 25 for treatment of a reported heroin overdose.
Reportedly, the child had to be revived with Narcan, which is used to reverse the effects of heroin and other opiate overdoses.
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.
McCabe had told The Westfield News on March 28 that, “It appears to be an accidental opioid overdose.”
Media sources have reported that the one-year-old was removed from Lea’s custody and placed into state custody a few days following the overdose.
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.
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, according to McCabe.
Staff Writer Christine Charnosky can be reached at [email protected]
Follow me on Twitter @charnoskyWNG
