By: Richard L. Smith
A Paterson firefighter is facing multiple criminal charges after authorities say a 2-year-old child was revived with Narcan and later tested positive for cocaine while the pair were vacationing in Wildwood, according to information released by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and the Wildwood Police Department.
Authorities identified the defendant as Alexander T. Moles, 39, of Ringwood, who serves as a firefighter with the Paterson Fire Department.
The investigation began on July 20 when the North Wildwood Fire Department responded to the area of 21st Street and New Jersey Avenue for a report of a 2-year-old boy suffering a medical emergency inside a vehicle.
According to investigators, Moles was driving the child to the hospital after the toddler began having difficulty breathing. Emergency medical personnel administered two doses of Narcan (naloxone), an opioid overdose reversal medication, and the child responded before being transported to Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional for additional treatment.
Authorities said preliminary blood tests later revealed the child tested positive for cocaine.
The incident prompted a joint investigation by the Wildwood Police Department and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit.
Detectives determined Moles and the child had been staying at a vacation residence in Wildwood when the toddler became ill.
As a result of the investigation, Moles was arrested on July 21 and charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree possession of cocaine, fourth-degree possession of prescription legend drugs, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a disorderly persons offense.
Moles was processed and lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility. Prosecutors said he was released following a detention hearing on July 24 under court-imposed conditions.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at 609-465-1135 or submit an anonymous tip through the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office website.