Mother Arrested After Her 11-Month-Old Child Ingests Fentanyl

PITTSBURGH, PA — A Harrison Township woman was arrested after her 11-month old child was hospitalized after being exposed to fentanyl.

Allegheny County police in August responded to UPMC Children's Hospital because the child was suspected of ingesting opioids. The child initially was initially unresponsive but was revived using multiple doses of Naloxone.

Detectives who investigated the incident determined the child’s mother, Lenae Mills, 29, was supervising the child in the basement of a Harrison home when she discovered the child chewing on something.Detectives found the item was a "cotton" left in the basement from when Mills

had previously used heroin in the residence. Cotton balls are commonly used as filters for drugs before they are injected, police said.

A subsequent search of the home revealed multiple "cottons" scattered throughout the basement, as well as other drug paraphernalia. Investigators noted those items were interspersed with colorful items a child might play with or be curious about, including crayons, silicone wristbands, and hair ties.

A blood test revealed the child tested positive for fentanyl and cocaine.

Mills was taken into custody Monday in Butler County and is currently in the Butler County Prison awaiting extradition. She is charged with felony aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child.