the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Fort Lee NJ, a devastating incident has rocked the community of Fort Lee, as authorities confirm that a 12-year-old girl who died Saturday night had ingested a fatal dose of narcotics. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office released a statement on Sunday detailing the tragic event and subsequent arrest.
Incident Details
On Saturday afternoon, Fort Lee police responded to a 911 call at a Maple Street residence around 3:34 p.m. They found the young girl unresponsive. She was rushed to Hackensack University Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
Arrest and Charges
Authorities have arrested Frances Caso, a 48-year-old woman from Fort Lee, who was present at the residence during the suspected overdose. Caso faces charges of endangering the welfare of a child, possession of controlled dangerous substances, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The prosecutor’s office has not disclosed Caso’s relationship to the victim, the specific type of narcotics involved, or how the child came into possession of the drugs.
Ongoing Investigation
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, led by Chief Matthew Finck, and the Fort Lee Police Department, under Chief Matthew Hintze, are conducting a thorough investigation. They discovered multiple suspected controlled dangerous substances and paraphernalia used to ingest these substances at the scene. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, no further details have been released.
Community Impact
The incident has left the community in shock and mourning. Three other juveniles were reportedly present at the residence during the time of the overdose. The name of the 12-year-old victim has not been released to the public.
Legal Proceedings
Frances Caso has been taken to the Bergen County Jail and is scheduled to appear in the Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack.
This tragic event underscores the critical need for awareness and prevention of drug-related incidents involving minors. As the investigation continues, the community hopes for answers and justice for the young victim.