Couple's Fatal OD Has Another Deadly Consequence

Their infant died in the home days later
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 25, 2016 4:46 PM CST
Updated Dec 26, 2016 12:04 AM CST
Couple's Fatal OD Has Another Deadly Consequence
This file photo shows a firearm and 154 pounds of heroin worth at least $50 million displayed during a DEA news conference in New York.   (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

A fatal heroin overdose is almost commonplace these days. And news of a couple overdosing together isn't so unusual, either. But a case in Pennsylvania has just added another layer of tragedy to the surge in ODs. Police in Kernville say a man and woman died of a likely heroin overdose in their home—and because they weren't immediately found, their infant daughter died a few days later of starvation and dehydration in her crib, reports the Tribune-Democrat. The victims are identified as Jason Chambers, 27, Chelsea Cardaro, 19, and Summer Chambers, 5 months. All three bodies were found Thursday, Chambers in the downstairs living room, Cardaro in an upstairs bathroom, and Summer in her upstairs crib, reports WJAC. Authorities think the baby lived for three or four days after her parents died.

“It's an unfortunate incident where they both possibly overdosed at the same time—and being from out of town, not having anybody in town—it was too long for anybody to notice that they were missing," says Johnstown Police Capt. Chad Miller. The family moved to town in May from New York. Police are awaiting toxicology results to confirm that the adults overdosed, but they found evidence of drug use at the scene. What's more, authorities responded to the house last month and had to revive Chambers from an overdose. Child services reviewed the home after that incident and deemed it safe for the baby. (One possible reason for the spate of heroin deaths: In some places across the US, it's being cut with an elephant tranquilizer.)

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