On Jan. 24, at 10:48 p.m., Bensalem Police responded to 2016 Finch Drive for the report of a nine month old child in cardiac arrest. Upon arrival, officers and Bensalem EMS took control of the child and began to administer medical care. Bensalem EMS administered NARCAN to the child, which had a mild, positive effect.
The apartment was unfurnished and dirty. There were multiple different medication bottles throughout the apartment in areas that would be accessible to the child. Officers observed multiple prescription bottles lying on the bed and floor. There was also an empty prescription bottle of acetaminophen with codeine found in the baby’s swing.
Follow-up investigation and medical testing revealed the child’s urine tested positive for Fentanyl. The child needed to be placed on a ventilator and administered more NARCAN in order to prevent her death. Additionally, a NARCAN drip was required due to the high dose of Fentanyl the child ingested. The child is currently at St. Christopher’s Hospital and is listed in stable condition at this time.
The child’s parents, Maria Dolderer and Michael Picardi, were both present on the evening of the overdose. They were uncooperative with police and refused to provide any logical explanation as to how their child suffered an overdose. Both parents were charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Felony of 2nd degree). They will be arraigned by District Justice Mike Gallagher.
