The parents of an eight-year-old Pennsylvania boy have been arrested after he died from exposure to fentanyl in the family's home.
The Chester County District Attorney's Office announced Holly Back,40, and Mousa Hawa's, 41, face 3rd-degree murder charges.
The Coatesville Police Department responded to a 911 call on July 26, 2023, due to reports of a child in cardiac arrest at a residence on the 500 block of East Lincoln Highway.
The district attorney says officers found Hawa performing CPR on the child, but he appeared ashen. Upon further investigation, they noticed crystalline baggies and other medication bottles on the floor throughout the living room.
The boy was transported to Chester County Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by medical staff.
NEWS RELEASE: TWO ARRESTED FOR THE DEATH OF 8-YEAR-OLD DUE TO EXPOSURE OF ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES
— Chester County District Attorney's Office (@chescoda) June 4, 2024
The Chesco DAO, the City of Coatesville PD, & the Chesco Detectives announce the arrest of Holly Back & Mousa Hawa, for charges related to the death of an 8 yr old child victim. pic.twitter.com/K1iiV5qIR5
Hawa allegedly told authorities that his son knew not to touch the illegal drugs.
But detectives reported the home was littered with drug paraphernalia, including empty heroin bags and hundreds of small glassine bags containing blue fentanyl.
Samples of the eight-year-old's blood, urine and hair were tested to determine the cause of death. Both blood and urine samples showed cocaine and fentanyl in the boy's system, pointing to other prior exposure.
The pair is charged with murder of the third degree, involuntary manslaughter and several related charges.
"Parents have a sacred responsibility to care for their children. Day after day, these defendants prioritized access to drugs over the health and safety of their child, leaving deadly fentanyl within arm's reach," District Attorney Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe said in a release. "It is inexcusable. And it is murder."
