Boone County Sheriff’s Department detectives have arrested the parents of an 8-month-old infant who overdosed on fentanyl in November.
Detectives arrested 34-year-old Shawn Gardner and 33-year-old Brianne Ehlinger on Thursday evening. The pair was charged with first-degree assault. Both are being held at the Boone County Detention Center with their bonds set at $100,000.
On Nov. 26, Boone County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence at 1675 Deer Run Dr. in Burlington after receiving a report that an 8-month-old infant was not breathing.
Upon arrival, first responders administered life-saving measures, including CPR, on the child. Due to her unchanging condition, the child was transported to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. While there, she was administered a dose of Narcan that proved to be effective.
The child has since been discharged from the hospital and is now in the custody of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Through their investigation, detectives learned that Gardner and Ehlinger had ingested fentanyl inside the home.
Detectives interviewed Gardner and Ehlinger on Dec. 7, when the pair admitted to using fentanyl in the home away from the child. Both subsequently said they had direct contact with the child thereafter and before she stopped breathing.
But Medical toxicologist Ryan Marino, who works at the Cleveland Medical Center, said just being near the substance won’t cause an overdose.
“Fentanyl as a dry powder is not going to cross through your skin. It’s the same reason you can touch sugar without your blood sugar going up,” Marino said. “Solids don’t cross through your skin.”Â