2-Year-Old Dies With Opioids In Body; Ocean Gate Mom Charged: Prosecutor

OCEAN GATE, NJ — An Ocean Gate mother was charged with endangering the welfare of a child with additional charges possible after her 2-year-old daughter died with methadone in her system, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Jenna O'Connor, 32, called 911 the morning of July 17 after finding her child unresponsive in her crib, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

The toddler was taken to Community Medical Center in critical condition and airlifted to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick for further treatment, Billhimer said.

The child died on July 21, Billhimer said. Tests performed while she was hospitalized found methadone present in the child's system, he said.

Investigation found that O'Connor was home and responsible for the child's care July 16 through 17, and the child had access to methadone in her house, Billhimer said.

She was charged with endangering the welfare of a child on July 22 and taken to Ocean County Jail where she remains pending a detention hearing.

“While the death of this baby is tragic, the investigation remains active and ongoing and additional charges may be forthcoming,” Billhimer said.