Kingston Police arrest parents after near-fatal infant overdose

Kingston Police are expressing gratitude to their fellow first responders and those frontline health-care workers who assisted in ensuring that a local infant lived to see another day after a dangerous incident.

According to police, at approximately 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, the parents of a one-year-old infant called 911 when the infant was found unconscious. The parents, police said, had discovered the infant with no vital signs and placed an emergency call for assistance.

Kingston Police, Kingston Fire and Rescue, and Frontenac Paramedics all attended the location where the infant was located.

“Kingston Fire and Rescue attended and provided medical attention to the infant who was then provided additional treatment by Frontenac Paramedics and swiftly transported to Kingston General Hospital. Once at the hospital, it was discovered that an opioid overdose had caused the infant’s illness,” Kingston Police said in a press release on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.

“Hospital staff administered multiple shots of Narcan, which was able to reverse the effects of the overdose and ultimately save the infant’s life.”

Upon investigating, Kingston Police found various narcotics, including fentanyl, had been left in areas easily accessible to the infant. As a result, both parents, aged 34 and 22, were arrested and charged with criminal negligence causing bodily harm, and possession of a Schedule 1 substance. Both parents were later released on conditions with a future court date, according to police.

“Kingston Police wish to recognize members of Kingston Fire and Rescue, Frontenac Paramedics and Kingston Health Science Centre emergency care providers for their coordinated life saving measures, which led to this infant’s survival,” police said.