Fugitive In Fatal Drug Case Involving 3-Year-Old Nabbed In Vernon

VERNON, CT — A man considered a fugitive from justice in a narcotics distribution case involving the death of a 3-year-old from Pennsylvania was taken into custody Friday in Vernon, police said.

Vernon Police and the East Central Narcotics Task Force arrested Thomas Keogh, who was living at 101 Dockerel Road in Vernon, and charged him as a fugitive from justice.

Keogh, 64, was wanted by authorities in Pennsylvania on numerous drug felony charges. Keogh was initially held on a $500,000 bond, but that was increased to $750,000 at Rockville Superior Court while arrangements were being made for his extradition to Pennsylvania, police said.

According to a warrant, Keogh is accused of distributing drugs — including Methamphetemine — that resulted in the death of a 3-year-old in Pennsylvania in 2018.

Authorities in Pennsylvania contacted Vernon police Friday morning and Vernon police confirmed he was at Dockerel Road. Keogh was then taken into custody there, police said.

His charges in Pennsylvania include one under the state's Corrupt Organizations Act, which refers to racketeering activities by anyone receiving money while engaged in "continuous criminal activity."

His other charges in the Keystone State include the manufacture or delivery of drugs resulting in death and the criminal use of a communication facilty.

According to case records, the girl’s mother and her boyfriend are facing charges that include third-degree murder and endangering the welfare of children. Another man has been charged with drug delivery resulting in death, according to case records.

The child overdosed and died, according to case records.