Oakland mom, boyfriend charged after 5-year-old boy ODs on fentanyl, cocaine
Oakland hills mother, boyfriend charged after son, 5, ODs on fentanyl and cocaine
A woman and her boyfriend have been charged with felony child abuse after her 5-year-old son was found unconscious at his Oakland hills home. Toxicology tests showed cocaine and fentanyl in his system.
OAKLAND, Calif. - An Oakland mother and her boyfriend are facing child abuse charges after the woman's 5-year-old son passed out after dinner and was later found to have fentanyl and cocaine in his system, authorities said.
The boy ate dinner on the evening of June 21 with his mother, 35-year-old Sarah Rothenberg; her boyfriend, 28-year-old Mario Houston Rojas; and her father at a home on Thornhill Drive, according to an Alameda County probable cause declaration.
After dinner, the boy became unresponsive, authorities said.
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Firefighters, paramedics and Oakland police responded to the home around 8:46 p.m. after receiving a report of a child who was unconscious and having difficulty breathing.
The boy was taken to UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, where toxicology tests confirmed he had fentanyl and cocaine in his system, according to authorities. Investigators said the child required Narcan before his body responded to medical treatment.
Shortly after the incident, the boy had to be intubated and was reported to be in critical but stable condition.
Mother and boyfriend arrested
What we know:
Rothenberg told officers she put the boy to bed around 8 p.m. About 15 minutes later, she told her father the boy appeared to be sick.
She said she saw the boy vomiting and not breathing, court records show.
Rothenberg and Rojas were arrested the following day on suspicion of child abuse. Rothenberg was released on her own recognizance. Her boyfriend posted bail. Both are due back in court Thursday to enter pleas.
The boy's grandfather is the child's legal guardian. He declined to comment Wednesday when contacted by KTVU.
Investigators find suspected drug paraphernalia
Investigators believe the child had access to drugs and drug paraphernalia inside the home, though authorities have not said how he came into contact with the substances.
During a search of the residence, investigators found tin foil, a broken pen containing a white residue, a plastic pipe inside a trash can and pills inside a bathroom drawer, according to the arrest document.
The Source: This story was based on court documents.