Toms River Mom Hid Heroin, Crack Under Toddler In Car Seat, Manchester Police Say

MANCHESTER, NJ -- A Toms River woman is in jail on charges of heroin and crack cocaine possession after the drugs were found hidden beneath her 19-month-old child in the child’s car seat, Manchester police said.

Tara Worthy, 26, of Kettle Creek Drive, Toms River, is being held at the Ocean County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail, Manchester Capt. Todd Malland said.

A passenger in her car, Shayla Solis, 21, of Teamer Drive, Manahawkin, also was arrested and faces drug charges but was released on a summons, Malland said.

Worthy and Solis were traveling on Route 571 Monday near Ridgeway Boulevard when police pulled over Worthy’s 2001 BMW on a motor vehicle violation, Malland said.

Worthy was found to be driving with a suspended driver’s license, he said. Solis also had a suspended license and therefore could not assume responsibility for driving the car, he said.

During the stop, officers determined Worthy had conceal a small handbag underneath her seat; subsequent investigation revealed that the handbag contained drug paraphernalia associated with heroin use, Malland said. A further search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of the drug paraphernalia and a hypodermic needle, he said.

Worthy and Solis were arrested and taken to Manchester Police Headquarters, and Worthy’s child was transported as well, still in the car seat, which was taken out of the BMW by Worthy, Malland said.

At police headquarters, the child was taken out of the safety seat, at which time the hidden heroin, crack cocaine and other drug paraphernalia were discovered, he said.

The child has been turned over to the custody of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, Malland said.

Worthy has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, possession of heroin, possession of crack cocaine, hindering apprehension and possession of drug paraphernalia, Malland said.

Solis was charged with possession of a hypodermic needle and she was later released on a complaint summons.

The motor vehicle stop was conducted by the Manchester Township Police Narcotics Enforcement Team with assistance from Ocean County Sheriff’s Officer Michael Fiorentino and his K-9, Utah, Malland said.