A grandmother is facing multiple charges after her 10-month-old granddaughter tested positive for fentanyl exposure in Oregon.
Last Friday night, Tigard Police Department officers discovered an unlicensed Jeep parked and running in a shopping plaza. Inside the vehicle, they found the driver, later identified as 53-year-old Julia Apostello, unconscious with drug paraphernalia in plain sight. Shockingly, a 10-month-old baby was also present in the back seat, secured in a car seat.
It was later revealed that the infant was Apostello’s granddaughter. Officers spoke with the baby’s mother, who had been inside a nearby business with her 4-year-old child for approximately 30 minutes before returning to the Jeep.
Upon awakening Apostello, officers removed a substance from the vehicle, which was identified as fentanyl, a highly potent opioid. Subsequently, Apostello was placed under arrest.
Due to concerns for the baby’s safety and potential exposure to drugs, she was promptly taken to the hospital, where medical tests confirmed the presence of fentanyl in her system. Fortunately, she received medical treatment and was released from officer supervision over the weekend. Authorities believe she is currently in stable condition.
Apostello now faces serious charges, including criminal mistreatment, two counts of child neglect, endangering the welfare of a minor, two counts of criminal mistreatment, and recklessly endangering.
Nick Haywood, an individual working in the plaza, expressed shock at the situation, emphasizing the grave dangers associated with fentanyl. “To believe a 10-month-old is around a drug like that is outrageous,” he remarked. “It’s one of the deadliest drugs out there and it doesn’t take a lot to kill someone.”
