Officials are increasingly concerned after a baby dies due to a fentanyl overdose and the suspected overdoses of two other babies within the past week in Washington. These circumstances happened separately, with fentanyl being discovered unsecured in their homes, according to authorities.
13-Month-Old Baby Dies from Fentanyl Overdose
Emergency services answered a call on Wednesday afternoon in Everett, where a 13-month-old baby was discovered not responsive in an apartment.
Despite efforts, the baby died later at a hospital. The accurate explanation and manner of the passing will be identified by the Snohomish County Medical Examiner's Office.
Additionally, last Saturday, firefighters were notified of another circumstance requiring an 11-month-old who was discovered unresponsive by their parents in a separate home. The infant was given naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal treatment, and was hospitalized before being released.
On Wednesday morning, firefighters answered a call regarding a 6-month-old baby encountering respiring difficulties. Upon arrival, they found the baby not responsive and gave medical assistance, including Narcan administration. As of Thursday, the baby remained in stable condition at Seattle Children's Hospital.
Authorities have declared that there is no evidence the cases are connected, and they are conducting further investigations regarding these fentanyl overdose incidents. The announcement of further information, including any arrests made, has been withheld due to the continuous nature of the inspections.
Conveying deep concern, a news release from the City of Everett emphasized the increasing issue of fentanyl overdoses involving young kids, mirroring a vast concern about opioid and fentanyl misuse in both the state and the nation.
Fentanyl, a highly potent drug often mixed with other elements like heroin, has been an important factor in the overdose epidemic in the United States. Children are specifically sensitive to its effects, as even the slightest risk to its residue can be deadly.
Data from the Washington State Department of Health indicates a concerning increase in opioid-related deaths among children under 18, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl being predominantly involved.
Nationwide, drug overdose deaths rose slightly in 2022 after previous increases during the COVID-19 pandemic, with provisional data suggesting a further uptick in the following year.
Authorities Investigate Recent Fentanyl Poisoning Cases
The Onondaga County District Attorney has declared that his office is cooperating with law enforcement to inspect the fentanyl poisoning circumstances involving an 11-month-old infant in Syracuse.
Syracuse Police specified that the baby was hospitalized but did not give further details, such as the location of the overdose.
Initially informed of the baby's death, D.A. Bill Fitzpatrick later received an update indicating that the 11-month-old had been revived using the antidote Narcan.
During discussions regarding the death of 11-year-old Ashton Degonzaque, Fitzpatrick referenced the recent drug overdose. Neither law enforcement nor prosecutors have officially confirmed Degonzaque's cause of death pending toxicology results, but the boy's family suspects a drug overdose.
Family members reported that hospital doctors informed them of his body testing positive for cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana.
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