WALL – A Township couple has been criminally charged after their toddler overdosed on suspected opioids, officials said.
Sharek White, 46, and Alexis Mistretta, 37, both of Wall Township, were charged with one count of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
On the evening of October 18, police arrived at a home on 17th Avenue regarding a suspected overdose. Officers found an unresponsive toddler, about 2 years old, and lifesaving efforts were quickly performed. The child was brought to a local hospital where she is alert and currently being monitored, officials said.
Authorities believe that the girl was playing with items that had been exposed to opioid narcotics.
Currently, White and Mistretta are being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) pending a detention hearing on October 24.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Jose I. Rodriguez at 800-533-7443 or Wall Township Police Detective Ty Hughes at 732-449-4500, ext. 1191.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
