A Wall Township couple has been charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child after their toddler overdosed on suspected opioids in the family home, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Wednesday.
Monmouth County officials said in a press release Sharek White, 46, and Alexis Mistretta, 37, both of Wall Township, was charged with one count of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
According to Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago, on Monday night, October 18, Wall Township Police were called to a residence on the 1100 block of 17th Avenue for a suspected overdose.
Upon arrival, officers discovered an unresponsive toddler, nearly 2twoyears of age, with lifesaving efforts already in progress.
Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said the efforts continued, as the child was rushed to a local hospital, where she is alert and currently being monitored.
The child is believed to have been playing with items exposed to opioid narcotics.
The case is a joint investigation with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Wall Township Police Department.
If anyone has any information regarding this case, please contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Jose I. Rodriguez at 800-533-7443 or Wall Township Police Detective Ty Hughes at 732-449-4500, ext. 1191.
Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said White and Mistretta are being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) pending a detention hearing on October 24 before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Paul X. Escandon.
The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Zanzuccki, Director of the MCPO Special Victims Bureau.
Legal representation for White and Mistretta was not immediately available.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.