Heroin Use in Vernon Home Leads to Risk Charges: Warrant

VERNON, CT — A Vernon woman has been charged with two counts of risk of injury to a minor for what is described in a warrant as extensive heroin use inside her Prospect Street home in the presence of children.

Jessica Bartley, 35, was also charged with possessing drug paraphernalia, according to case records. She is due in court on July 24 after posting a $5,000 bond, according to case records.

A 10-year-old girl and 5-year-old boy were living in the home, according to a warrant. Police responded to a call on June 19 regarding a possible overdose. When in the house, they discovered a cut straw on a bathroom sink, which Bartley said was used to snort Xanax to gt it to work faster.

Police then noticed a large scale on a dresser and wax paper folds that are consistent with heroin use. Bartley was put on a stretcher in "a dazed state," police said in a warrant. A pen casing — cut to resemble a straw — was found on her with white powdery substance in it, according to a warrant.

She was taken to an area hospital, according to a warrant.

The girl was able to go to family members, but the state Department of Children and Families had taken custody of the boy, according to a warrant. Bartley has joint custody of the girl with a male acquaintance and is the mother of the boy, according to a warrant.

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel