A vacation on the Jersey Shore took a harrowing turn after a toddler overdosed on cocaine. The man who was supposed to be supervising the two-year-old and his siblings was subsequently charged and arrested for allegedly endangering the child.
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What Happened to the Toddler?
As reported by the New York Post, Alexander T. Moles was looking after the unidentified toddler and his siblings while vacationing in Wildwood, New Jersey.
Their mother was taking a shower before checking out of an Airbnb on Monday, July 20. When she was finished, she noticed that her son looked sleepy. He also had difficulty breathing. Moles then drove the child to a hospital in North Wildwood.
One of the adults had called 911. Moles told authorities he thought the toddler had taken "painkillers." He later tested positive for cocaine after being taken to Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional for blood tests.
The boy was saved after taking a dose of Naloxone nasal spray. Also known as Narcan, the drug is used to treat overdoses.
Officers Searched the Airbnb
An affidavit revealed that a judge ordered a search of the Airbnb occupied by Moles and the toddler's mother. Officers found a pill, tinfoil packets labeled "tapentadol hydrochloride," a clear plastic bag filled with a white, powdery substance, and several short plastic straws.
Tapentadol hydrochloride is a prescription opioid pain medication. It treats severe chronic pain.
The nature of the relationship between Moles and the toddler's mother is unknown. He was staying at the Airbnb with the mother and her children.
Moles lives 200 miles away from Wildwood in the city of Ringwood, New Jersey. He was arrested on Tuesday, July 21. Moles' charges include endangering the welfare of a child, cocaine possession, possession of drug paraphernalia ,and possession of prescription legend drugs.
The suspect stayed in the Cape May County Correctional Facility. Moles was then released with conditions after a detention hearing on Friday, July 24. An investigation of the incident is ongoing.
