ADDYSTON, Ohio — Three people have been charged in connection to what officials described as a near-fatal overdose of a 1-year-old in Hamilton County.
The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office said Addyston police responded to a report of a 1-year-old who was unresponsive on July 10. That child was taken to Cincinnati Children's where they determined the child had overdosed on fentanyl.
Officials said the child has recovered from the overdose and is now in the care of Hamilton County Job and Family Services.
Following an investigation, the sheriff's office determined that three people were responsible for allowing the overdose. Amberly Miller, Pamela Linville and Tyler Heilmayer were arrested and charged with endangering children. Linville is also charged with permitting drug abuse.
Fentanyl can be incredibly potent for adults. Tom Synan with the Hamilton County Addiction Response Coalition said fentanyl can be even more harmful for a young child.
"The tolerances aren't there we're talking about heart development, brain development, lung development," he said.
Pediatrician Chris Peltier said a child overdosing on fentanyl can have long-term impacts, especially if a child's brain is deprived of oxygen for a period of time.
“In this case, I don't think it's so much the fentanyl that would cause the damage, but it's the result of the fentanyl overdose where a child may be deprived from oxygen and could have brain damage, lung damage, heart damage, or kidney damage," Peltier said.
Peltier said the baby is very lucky to be alive.
His message for all parents is to make sure your house is safety proofed and to lock up all medications.
“We’re not just talking about fentanyl, we're talking about any medicines or substances, cleaning supplies," said Peltier.
