A stock photo of a baby's feet.

By Michael Mashburn From Daily Voice

A Long Island man is accused of using fentanyl next to an eight-month-old girl who later stopped breathing and needed emergency Narcan to survive.

Henry Martinez, 21, of Brentwood, was charged after an infant in his care suffered fentanyl poisoning and required lifesaving treatment, according to the Suffolk County DA’s office.

The incident happened around 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, when Martinez called 911 to report that the child was unresponsive and not breathing.

Paramedics found the girl in severe respiratory distress. Her breathing had stopped long enough that her skin had turned bluish from a lack of oxygen.

Investigators determined that Martinez had snorted fentanyl powder with a plastic straw while the baby was beside him on a bed, according to prosecutors. He then allegedly lay down next to the child while still holding the straw, exposing her to the drug, prosecutors said.

First responders revived the infant as she was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital. Hospital staff administered Narcan to counteract the suspected opioid exposure and the girl survived.

A court-authorized search turned up fentanyl on the bedroom floor, along with four digital scales, packaging materials and a cellphone investigators say was used to purchase the drug, prosecutors said.

Martinez was arraigned Thursday, Nov. 13, on charges including assault, criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal use of drug paraphernalia and endangering the welfare of a child.

Prosecutors requested bail of $300,000 cash or $600,000 bond, but a judge released him to supervised release.

“The alleged use of fentanyl in the presence of an eight-month-old infant, resulting in the child suffering respiratory distress and requiring emergency Narcan treatment, demonstrates a shocking disregard for the safety and welfare of a vulnerable child,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney. 

“My office will continue to hold accountable those whose dangerous actions endanger our community’s most defenseless members.”

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that can be up to 50 times stronger than heroin and roughly 100 times more potent than morphine, according to health officials. It is used medically in tightly controlled settings for severe pain, but illegal versions have driven a sharp rise in overdose deaths nationwide. 

Even tiny amounts of the drug can cause respiratory failure, and it is frequently mixed into other substances without a user’s knowledge, making accidental exposure especially dangerous.

Martinez faces up to seven years in prison if convicted on the top charge.