Pa. infant whose death is under investigation was born with drugs in his system: prosecutor

An infant whose death is under investigation in Lycoming County had drugs in his system when was born, a prosecutor says.

That is the reason county Children and Youth Services has an open case on Tallia Germa Charlebois, first assistant District Attorney Martin Wade said Friday.

Charlebois is jailed without bail accused of causing the death of her three-month-old son Matteo.

The mother had amphetamine in her system when her son was born, Wade said. State police have a search warrant to obtain her medical records.

When first responders arrived at Charlebois’ apartment in Montgomery Wednesday she advised them to give Narcan to her son, the arrest affidavit states without providing any details.

The infant was taken UPMC Muncy where he was pronounced dead at 2:36 p.m. Wednesday.

An autopsy was performed Thursday but Coroner Charles E. Kiessling Jr. said the results of toxicology tests are needed to determine the cause of death.

Charlebois told District Judge Christian D. Frey at her arraignment she was a recreational drug user.

She told state police, according to the arrest affidavit, she had snorted a partial bag of fentanyl about 1 a.m. Wednesday and fell asleep about 5 a.m.

When Charlebois awoke in the early afternoon she sought help after finding Matteo lying face down with the top half of his body in a bedside bassinet and rest on the bed, she told police.

During the execution of a search warrant, investigators said they found a handbag next to the bassinet with a baggie containing the suspected fentanyl and another with a number of white pills.

Drug paraphernalia including baggies and a glass pipe also were found in the apartment, they said.

State police had been at the apartment about 5:30 a.m. Wednesday in response to a welfare check request by witness Natalia Solomon.

They left after determining the infant was awake, alert and not in need of medical care and that Charlebois was capable of caring for him, the affidavit states.

They were dispatched back at 1:33 p.m. for an infant in cardiac arrest. The following is taken from the arrest affidavit:

Solomon told police she arrived at the apartment about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night at Charlebois’ request to help clean in preparation for a Children and Youth visit.

She said she requested the welfare check early Wednesday after observing Charlebois nodding off, stumbling around and, while holding her son, allowing his head to hit the corner of a dresser in the nursery.

Charlebois rejected her suggestion to have someone watch her son and asked her leave.

As Solomon was leaving she said she observed Charlebois crawl into bed and lie partially on her son so she pushed her away.

Charlebois is charged with involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of children, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.

According to her Facebook page Charlebois also has a daughter. Wade said he did not know who has custody of her.

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