N.C. Teen Hailed as Hero for Saving Toddler Brother Who Almost Died After Fentanyl Exposure

The toddler's parents were charged with felony child abuse

Two North Carolina parents were charged with child abuse after their 22-month-old nearly overdosed on opiates, the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office announced.

And according to a report from WSOC-TV, the young child might have died had it not been for his fast-acting teenage sister.

Det. Karcin Vick-Dunn told the TV station that the toddler ingested a small amount of fentanyl, and his sister noticed that he was having a hard time breathing.

“The juvenile sibling definitely saved that child’s life,” Vick-Dunn told the outlet.

In a Facebook post, the sheriff’s office says first responders arrived at the scene and administered Narcan and took the toddler to the hospital in stable condition.

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Shiann Hartsell, 30, and Justin Hopkins, 30, were each charged with felony child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury, felony possession schedule II controlled substance, felony maintain vehicle/dwelling/place for the use of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, police say. Hopkins was also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.

Both are in custody at the Stanly County Jail.

It is unclear if either has entered a plea or retained an attorney.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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