Drug Dealer Let Burlington Co. Child Overdose On Cocaine: Feds

MAPLE SHADE, NJ — A Burlington County man was charged Friday after a child overdosed on cocaine in his drug-filled apartment, authorities said.

The child, who lives with Daniel Garcia Jr. in Maple Shade, was hospitalized June 23 but has survived. One day later, authorities say they searched Garcia's apartment and found more than 750 grams of cocaine and nearly 330 grams of methamphetamine, among other drugs.

Following an investigation, Garcia was federally charged with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and possession of firearms by a convicted felon.

The child lives in a shared apartment with Garcia and at least one other person, according to court documents. Authorities did not specify who the child's parents or caretakers are.

Garcia's apartment-mate, who is unidentified, noticed the child acting oddly after Garcia finished feeding them, authorities said.

At first, the child raised their hands in the air and rocked back and forth. The minor then became unresponsive, had a seizure and started drooling before their lips turned blue, authorities said.

Garcia, 27, and his apartment-mate rushed the child to the hospital, where staff defibrillated the minor at least twice to restart their heart. The child was flown to a children's hospital and has since been discharged, according to court documents.

A doctor at the children's hospital told officers that the child's symptoms — including seizure and cardiac arrest — were symptoms of a cocaine overdose. During treatment, the child tested positive for the drug, authorities said.

Officers executed a search warrant June 24 at Garcia's home and found cash, drug-packaging paraphernalia and an envelope containing ammunition. One day later, they searched a vehicle that Garcia had been driving.

A laundry bag inside the vehicle contained 329.1 grams of methamphetamine, 767 grams of cocaine, 41 amphetamine tablets, 102 alprazolam tablets, 272 oxycodone tablets, 2.6 grams of MDMA powder, 1,341 grams of marijuana, 9.9 grams of psilocin and psilocybin mushrooms, 192 grams of crystalline-cutting agents commonly used for illegal-drug preparation, authorities said.

The bag also contained $150,000 cash, three digital scales, drug packaging material, two 9mm handguns and a .357 magnum revolver, according to investigators.

Surveillance footage from the apartment complex showed Garcia returning from the hospital and transferring the bag from his apartment to the trunk of the vehicle, authorities said.

Garcia was charged by complaint, with an initial court appearance on a date to be determined.