A Brentwood man was charged last week for allegedly consuming fentanyl in close proximity to an eight-month-old infant, causing the child to suffer fentanyl poisoning.
On November 12 at around 11:05 a.m., Henry Martinez called 911 to report an unresponsive child who was not breathing. When paramedics arrived, they found the infant in respiratory distress. Her breathing had ceased, causing her skin to turn into a bluish hue due to the lack of oxygen.
Investigators found that Martinez had allegedly snorted a quantity of deadly fentanyl powder with a plastic straw while the infant was allegedly next to him on a bed. Martinez had then allegedly lain down next to the infant after he finished ingesting the fentanyl, holding the straw with the drug residue in his hand, thus exposing the child to the dangerous substance.
Paramedics were able to revive the infant as she was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital, where Narcan was administered by hospital staff to reverse the suspected effects of an opioid overdose allegedly caused by fentanyl poisoning. The infant survived.
During the execution of a court-ordered search warrant, investigators allegedly recovered a quantity of fentanyl on Martinez’s bedroom floor. In addition, they allegedly found four digital scales and a cellular telephone allegedly used by the defendant to purchase the substance. In addition to the fentanyl, investigators also allegedly recovered used and unused packaging materials allegedly utilized to package fentanyl.
On November 13, Martinez, 21, was arraigned on the charges before District Court Judge Eric Sachs for the following charges:
- one count of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony
- one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony
- one count of Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor
- one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor
At the arraignment before Sachs, the District Attorney’s Office requested Martinez be held on bail in the amount of $300,000 cash or $600,000 bond. Judge Sachs denied the District Attorney’s Office’s request and instead released Martinez to supervised release.
Martinez is due back in court on November 24 and faces up to seven years in prison if convicted on the top count.
“The alleged use of fentanyl in the presence of an eight-month-old infant, resulting in the child suffering respiratory distress and requiring emergency Narcan treatment, demonstrates a shocking disregard for the safety and welfare of a vulnerable child,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “My office will continue to hold accountable those whose dangerous actions endanger our community’s most defenseless members.”
“The dangers of fentanyl are evident in what we see every day, but the disregard for keeping this baby out of harm’s way is truly egregious,” said Suffolk County Commissioner Kevin Catalina. “Thankfully, she received the necessary medical care to prevent further tragedy. We will continue to work with the District Attorney’s Office to pursue those responsible for putting lives at risk with this deadly drug.”