1-Year-Old Girl Dies Of Apparent Heroin Overdose In Utah

Police allegedly found drug paraphernalia, including “burnt foil with residue,” in the home where the baby was found.

Utah police are investigating the death of a 1-year-old girl who died from an apparent heroin overdose earlier this week.

Paramedics reportedly found Penny Cormani unresponsive and blue in the lips when they responded to a 911 call on Dec. 2 at a Provo home.

Penny’s mom, Cassandra Richards, told police that she had put the baby down for a nap with a bottle of milk at around 11 a.m. When she checked on Penny an hour later, the child was unresponsive, reported KSTU-TV. 

The mom said she attempted CPR on the infant before calling 911.

Autopsy tests conducted by the medical examiner’s office found a “lethal amount of heroin” in Penny’s system, The Salt Lake Tribune reported, citing police search warrants. Codeine was “also present,” the tests revealed.

When searching the Provo home where Penny was found, police allegedly uncovered drug paraphernalia, including “burnt foil with residue” and “straws with burnt ends.”

According to KSL.com, the home did not belong to Penny’s parents, but to two other individuals named David and Sina Belgard. The couple had reportedly allowed Penny and her parents to stay at the home on Dec. 1.

The Belgards, as well as Penny’s parents, “all have drug histories,” reported KSL.com. Penny's parents, however, have both denied any illegal drug use. 

As of this writing, no arrests have been made in connection with Penny’s death.

 

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