A mother has been arrested after her 11-month-old was exposed to fentanyl and hospitalized.
Allegheny County Police say 29-year-old Lenae Mills was watching her child in a basement of a Harrison Township residence in early August when she found the baby was chewing on something.
Police were alerted to the exposure after the child was admitted to UPMC Children’s Hospital on August 4 and was suspected of ingesting opioids.
Through interviews, detectives discovered the baby was chewing on “cotton” left from when Mills used heroin in the house.
Police say cotton balls are used as filter for drugs before they are injected.
After a search, police found multiple “cottons” and other drug paraphernalia.
Investigators say the items were mixed with items that could get a child’s attention, including crayons, silicone wristband and more.
A blood test showed the child has tested positive for fentanyl and cocaine.
Mills is charged with felony aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child.