Salem NH Mom Who Overdosed on Camera Charged

LAWRENCE, MA — A local woman who garnered national attention after being filmed passed out in a Family Dollar Store in September of an apparent fentanyl overdose has been officially charged, according to press reports. Mandy McGowen of Salem was arraigned in Lawrence MA District Court on a single count of child endangerment on Nov. 28, 2016.

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information provided by police. It does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the name removal request process for NH Patch police reports.

Back on Sept. 18, McGowen reportedly overdosed inside of a dollar store after picking up her daughter and making a diaper run. She was recorded on video on the floor of the store while her daughter, in her pajamas, was trying to wake her up.

The story and shocking video, originally reported by the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune, went viral.

A few days after the incident, McGowen reportedly told WBZ-TV that she had fallen asleep after sniffing fentanyl.

Last month, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader, McGowen was given a full scholarship to a treatment center in the Bay State, after a member of the Magnolia New Beginnings online resource group saw her story. She was reportedly doing well in rehab, according to the report.

According to WCVB-TV, however, McGowen allegedly failed to appear in court before the Thanksgiving holiday and an arrest warrant was issued against her. An eviction notice was also reportedly posted on the door of her home, according to the news reporter.

Read the full reports on WCVB-TV, WBZ-TV, and WHDH-TV.