Police: Crying Baby Alerts Neighbors of Mother’s Overdose

At least three Ellwood City residents have died from heroin overdose this year and if it wasn’t for a crying baby, it may have been four.

According to the criminal complaint, on Nov. 2 officers responded to a 911 call to check on the welfare of a child crying for an extended period of time. While en route to the residence on Ninth Street, officers were informed that neighbors had gained access to the residence and found a woman laying on the floor in cardiac arrest.

When officers arrived at the residence, they identified the woman as Darcy Young, 28, and immediately began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Ellwood City fire personnel and EMS responders arrived and administered medication that stabilized Young’s heart rate.

Young was transported to the Ellwood City Hospital. Officers subsequently located a used syringe on a table. Young’s child, a 5-month-old boy, had been crying on the couch with no one to care for him.

Young was charged with possession and intent to use drug paraphernalia and endangering the welfare of her child. According to police, the child is now being cared for by relatives.