Sick toddler had meth and fentanyl in bloodstream, charges against Belleville-area mother say | News

ST. CLAIR COUNTY • A sick toddler had been exposed to methamphetamine and fentanyl by her mother, who now faces child endangerment and drug charges, police say.

The 2-year-old girl was treated at a St. Louis hospital last week and was released to family members after she recovered, police said.

The girl’s mother, Ashley N. Parr, 40, was charged with possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine, reckless conduct and child endangerment. She is being held in the St. Clair County Jail with bail set at $50,000.

Parr sought help on Dec. 10 because her daughter was not breathing properly, authorities said. Paramedics took the girl to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, where she was treated. Methamphetamine and fentanyl were found in her bloodstream, police said. The child is now in the custody of relatives.

Drugs and suspected illegal substances were found in the home, in the 700 block of South 15th Street near Belleville, authorities said.

“The drugs involved here are some of the most dangerous on the street even for adults, causing overdoses and death throughout the country,” Sheriff Richard Watson said in a press release. “The fact that a child came into contact with them and survived is a miracle. This is just an extremely sad situation for this child to have to go through and we hope that some type of intervention can not only help the child with a better life, but the mother, too.”