Philly Mom Killed Son Via Exposure To Drugs: Authorities

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia woman has been charged in connection with the drug overdose death of her infant son, authorities in New Jersey said.

Vanessa Hampton, 32, was charged with second-degree manslaughter and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office.

Hampton was taken into custody last week in Philadelphia and is awaiting extradition to New Jersey.

The investigation began in November 2022 after officers from the Medford Township Police Department were called to a home for a report of an unresponsive infant.

The infant was taken to Virtua Hospital in Voorhees and then transferred to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where he failed to regain consciousness and was declared dead about a week later, authorities said.

An autopsy performed by the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a homicide, concluding that the infant died from drug intoxication after being exposed to Xylazine. Xylazine is widely used in veterinary medicine as a sedative, muscle relaxant, and analgesic. It is commonly referred to as "tranq."

In the United States, it is not approved for human consumption or medical treatment.

Based on the investigation, authorities allege that Hampton was responsible for exposing her child to the drug, which resulted in his death after being ingested.