Lacey Mom Sentenced In Drug Death Of 2-Year-Old Son

LACEY, NJ — A Lacey mother whose two-year-old died from a fentanyl overdose in her care has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Natalie Sabie, 35, was sentenced to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison for aggravated manslaughter in connection with the toddler's death almost exactly one year ago, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

This sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, meaning that Sabie will be required to serve at least 85 percent of her prison sentence before she may be considered for parole eligibility.

Sabie was also sentenced to five years in prison for child endangerment, also in connection with her son's death, Billhimer said. These sentences are to run consecutively.

Sabie was taking care of her toddler son on Sept. 7, 2022, when she found him unresponsive, Billhimer said.

Responders attempted life-saving measures, but the boy was pronounced dead at Community Medical Center, Billhimer said.

Investigation found that not only was the toddler in Sabie's care when he was found unresponsive, he had access to illegal narcotics and there were two other minor children in the house at the time, Billhimer said.

A toxicology report found that the boy had a significant amount of fentanyl in his system, Billhimer said, and the cause of death was determined to be "acute fentanyl intoxication."

Sabie was taken into custody on Oct. 14, 2022, and has remained in Ocean County Jail since.