A 2-year-old boy survived a cocaine overdose during a Jersey Shore vacation, authorities said, leading to charges against the man responsible for his care. Alexander T. Moles, 39, was allegedly watching the toddler and his siblings Monday morning at an Airbnb in Wildwood, New Jersey, while the children's mother showered.
According to court documents, the mother became concerned after her shower when she noticed the boy appeared sleepy and was having difficulty breathing. She called 911, and Moles drove the child to a local hospital. At the hospital, Moles initially told police he believed the toddler had ingested painkillers.
At the hospital, medical personnel administered Naloxone, also known as Narcan, which is used to reverse opioid overdoses. The boy later tested positive for cocaine following blood tests at Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional. Officials said the boy survived the overdose.
During a search of Moles's Airbnb, authorities discovered a pill, tinfoil packets labeled "tapentadol hydrochloride"—a strong prescription pain medication—a bag containing a white powdery substance, and several plastic straws.
Moles, who resides in Ringwood, New Jersey, approximately 200 miles from Wildwood, was arrested Tuesday. He faces charges including endangering the welfare of a child, cocaine possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of prescription legend drugs. He was held at the Cape May County Correctional Facility and later released with conditions following a detention hearing on Friday. The investigation into the incident is ongoing. Officials have not disclosed the relationship between Moles and the woman whose children he was supervising.