Mother and grandma arrested after infant suffers possible overdose, Auburn police say
Investigators arrested a mother and a grandmother on suspicion of child endangerment after a 7-month-old infant suffering a possible drug overdose was taken to an Auburn hospital.
The infant on Monday afternoon remained hospitalized listed in stable condition and was showing signs of improvement, officials said in an Auburn Police Department news release.
“This incident could have evolved into an unfathomable tragedy had it not been for the diligence of the attending nurses and physicians,” Detective Angela McCollough said in the news release.
Around 11:15 p.m. Saturday, Auburn police were informed that an infant had possibly overdosed “after being exposed to illicit drugs,” officials said. The child had been taken to an Auburn hospital.
The infant’s grandmother took the child to the hospital after the infant was described as behaving abnormally, according to police.
On Sunday, police detectives and officers served search warrants at two Auburn homes; in the 400 block of Sacramento Street and in the 100 block of Orrin Drive. The investigators also searched two vehicles.
Investigators say they found drugs and drug paraphernalia at the Sacramento Street home. The police news release did not indicate what drugs were found or the drugs the child was reportedly exposed to.
After serving the search warrants, investigators took three people into custody.
Cori Ovalle, the infant’s mother, was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment, drug possession and smuggling drugs into a jail facility, according to police. She was booked at the Placer County Jail in Auburn, and she has since been released on $65,000 bail.
Christine Hillebrandt, the infant’s grandmother, was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment, police said. She also was booked at the Auburn jail and has since been released on $50,000 bail.
James Cresta, an acquaintance of the infant’s mother, also was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment. Police said Cresta remained at the jail in Auburn on Monday. His bail amount was set at $50,000.
The investigation continued Monday, and the Police Department is working with the Placer County Child Protection Services in this case.
