Watch CBS News

Police: Heroin, Morphine Found Near Bed Of Spring Hill Toddler Who Died

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Two people were arrested after a young child was found unresponsive at a Spring Hill home, and police say the child may have died from an overdose of heroin, morphine or both.

Police say 18-month-old Naveah Andiorio was rushed to the hospital after she was found unresponsive in her mother's bed.

KDKA's Lynne Hayes-Freeland Reports:

First responders first started CPR on the child at the scene and she was taken to Children's Hospital, where she died around 10:20 p.m. Medics worked to save her for about 30 minutes.

Police say 24-year-old Sondra Rector and 62-year-old William Kablach have been taken into custody in the incident.

It happened at a home in the 100-block of Zang Way in Spring Hill.

Police officials say the couple admitted to using heroin and morphine tablets.

KDKA's Lynne Hayes-Freeland Reports:

Police say Rector told them she used heroin and left some other stamp bags - or individual doses - of the drug and a syringe near the child while Rector slept. Rector tells police her daughter was unresponsive when she woke up, and that Kablach was shouting about a missing 100 mg morphine pill that he had also left near the girl.

So far, Rector and Kablach have been charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

Neighbors say they aren't surprised by the circumstances surrounding the little girl's death.

They say heroin has been a growing problem in the neighborhood for years.

KDKA's Trina Orlando Reports:

"It's heartbreaking. I'm going to have trouble not crying over it," said a neighbor who asked not to be identified. "But I guess it's the reality of addiction."

Police continue to investigate the death as a homicide.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office performed an autopsy on the little girl Wednesday. They are now waiting on test results and say it could be weeks before that information is back to determine the cause and manner of death.

RELATED LINKS
More Local News
More Police News

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.