A Long Island father was indicted for assault and other charges after his infant son nearly died from a fentanyl overdose earlier in the year. The father’s alleged drug dealer, Robert Mauro, was also hit with manslaughter charges after the same batch that the infant ingested killed an adult woman. First responders arrived at the family’s home to find the 11-month-old child barely breathing and turning blue, prompting them to provide life-saving measures.
Dramatic bodycam footage shows paramedics working to save the child’s life as his mother explains that he had been having trouble breathing for some time. The medics administered Narcan to the child in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with acute fentanyl poisoning, hypoxia, and respiratory failure. Investigators later found drug paraphernalia in the home, leading to the father’s arrest on charges related to the incident.
The father was released without bail but faces charges of assault, drug possession, and endangering the welfare of a child. Messages between him and Mauro revealed that drugs were purchased just days before the infant ingested the fentanyl. Mauro allegedly sold drugs to the woman who died from an overdose days later, claiming they did not contain fentanyl. However, an autopsy determined that the woman died from a mixed drug intoxication that included fentanyl and other substances.
Mauro was indicted on several charges, including second-degree manslaughter, criminal sale of a controlled substance, and tampering with evidence. During a search of his home, investigators found incriminating evidence, including drug paraphernalia and text messages between Mauro and the deceased woman. The father and Mauro are both set to appear in court on separate dates to face the charges brought against them in connection to the fentanyl overdoses that occurred.
The Suffolk County District Attorney expressed his outrage at the situation, emphasizing the dangers of illegal drugs and the devastating impact they can have on innocent victims. The use and sale of fentanyl have led to tragic consequences in this case, highlighting the need for stricter measures to prevent the distribution of such deadly substances. The father and Mauro’s alleged involvement in the overdoses underscores the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions in cases involving illegal drug distribution and its potential harm to others.
