Police: Mom Leaves Kids in Cold to Shoot Up Heroin, Ovedoses

Police in Michigan said they expected to arrest a 37-year-old woman on child endangerment and other charges Monday night after she allegedly left her two young daughters in the car during frigid weather last week and ducked inside a fast-food restaurant restroom to shoot up heroin.

The Belleville woman, who was not identified, was discovered unconscious slumped over with in a toilet stall with a string tied around her arm, a burned spoon and a syringe, Monroe Police Sgt. Charles McCormick told WDIV-TV.

The incident happened around 4:15 p.m. Wednesday at the McDonald’s restaurant at 1180 N Dixie Highway in Monroe. The temperatures were in the single digits, with wind chill values that made it feel -20 at times.

The Monroe News reports that when their mother didn’t return, the 9-year-old girl went inside and discovered her unconscious mother. The girl screamed, alerting restaurant employees, and then went outside to be with her 5-year-old sister.

It’s unclear how long the woman had been unconscious before emergency personnel responded. Responders administered a life-saving dose of Narcan while transporting the woman to ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital.

Police told The Monroe News the woman lacked remorse and refused to cooperate with investigators. Police said she showed gross disregard for the safety of her children.

The charges expected against the woman include child neglect, possession of drug paraphernalia, and leaving children unattended in a vehicle. Child Protective Services has been notified and officials are conducting their own investigation.

While their mother was being treated, McDonald’s employees watched over the girls, who were later released to custody of their father.

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Photo via Creative Commons