For Immediate Release

Monday, Jan. 2, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Methuen Police Investigating Incident Where Baby Was Exposed to Fentanyl

Press Conference Scheduled for Noon Today

METHUEN — Mayor Stephen Zanni and Chief Joseph E. Solomon report that the Methuen Police Department is investigating an incident in which a 10-month-old baby was exposed to fentanyl.

At approximately 12:28 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, Methuen Police were dispatched to a residence on Treetop Way for a report of a 10-month-old child not breathing.

Upon arrival, first responders immediately began treating the baby before transporting her to Lawrence General Hospital where she stopped breathing twice and had to be revived by hospital staff. The child was later flown to Tufts Medical Center via MedFlight for further treatment.

Hospital tests indicate that the baby had fentanyl in her system.

“The opioid epidemic knows no boundaries,” Mayor Zanni said. “We must continue to be vigilant in ensuring that children do not have access to harmful substances and to do everything we can to fight the disease of addiction.”

At this time, the baby remains in stable condition. The Department of Children and Families has been notified of the situation.

“This is an extremely unfortunate situation in which a dangerous drug has ended up in the wrong hands and placed a baby’s life in danger,” Chief Solomon said. “Our main goal now is to find out how this substance ended up in the child’s system.”

This incident remains under investigation by the Methuen Police Department and Massachusetts State Police Detectives.

Methuen Police will be holding a press conference at 12 p.m. today at the police station, 90 Hampshire St., Methuen.

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