Middlesex Co. Mom Charged In Connection With Overdose Death Of Baby

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ – A 36-year-old Monroe woman was charged in connection with the death of her 11-month-old daughter, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Michael J. Biennas of Monroe Police Department said Tuesday.

On Aug. 25, Heather Cupano brought her 11-month-old daughter to Saint Peter’s University Hospital and reported that the baby had ingested heroin.

According to an investigation, the 11-month-old baby tested positive for fentanyl and was in critical condition. Cupano was arrested on Aug. 26 and charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Further investigation revealed that Cupano made efforts to influence a witness’s statement to authorities, Ciccone said.

On Sept. 8, the 11-month-old succumbed to her injuries and on Sept. 9, Cupano was additionally charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter, and third-degree witness tampering, Ciccone said.

She is currently being held pending her pre-trial detention hearing.

According to authorities, when the 11-month-old child exhibited signs of heroin intoxication, Cupano administered Narcan. Cupano also failed to secure medical treatment for her child for 48 hours, authorities allege.

Narcan is a temporary remedy and does not remove the effects of heroin overdose forever. It needs to be administered immediately, whenever there is a suspected opioid overdose, and thereafter medical attention needs to be secured, Ciccone said.

The effects of Narcan are temporary and an overdose death is still a possibility even when the patient seems fine.

This is an active and on-going investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Haley Hlavka of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Special Victims Unit, 732-745-3287 or Detective Jake O’Brien of the Monroe Township Police Department at 732-521-0222.

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