2 Women OD From Heroin With Child In Car

PLEASANT VALLEY, NY — Two Dutchess County women were arrested after they were found passed out inside a car with a child also present. New York State Police said Tamara E. Ward, 38, of Poughkeepsie, was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated under Leandra’s Law, a felony, and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a child, misdemeanors.

Jennifer A. Lasko, 40, of Pleasant Valley, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

State Police said Troopers were dispatched around 2:50 p.m. July 19 by Dutchess County 911 to check the welfare of two unresponsive females inside a vehicle at the Garden Apartments on Route 44 in Pleasant Valley.

DC911 notified responding officers that a child was also inside the vehicle. [Get Patch’s Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts here.]

When Troopers arrive on the scene, they found both women unresponsive and not breathing due to a suspected opioid overdose.

Naloxone was administered to them both, and the 1-1/2-year-old child was immediately removed from the because he was sweating profusely.

Lasko regained consciousness and starting breathing again after a single dose of naloxone. However, Ward remained unconscious after the initial dose.

Pleasant Valley EMS arrived on scene and administered four more doses before Ward regained consciousness.

The two women and Ward’s child were taken to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital for evaluation.

Police said that an investigation found Ward had allegedly driven from Poughkeepsie to Pleasant Valley while under the influence of heroin.

The chid was turned over to a family member following his discharge from the hospital.

After Lasko was discharge, she was issued an appearance ticket to appear in the Town of Pleasant Valley Justice Court July 25.

Ward was arraigned in the Town of Pleasant Valley Justice Court and send to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail or $50,000 bond

She is scheduled to reappear in court July 21.

Image via Shutterstock.