Drug dealer let child die of cocaine overdose in Burlington County: federal authorities

MAPLE SHADE, NJ — A Burlington County man was charged Friday after a child overdosed on cocaine in his drug-infested apartment, authorities said.

The child, who lives with Daniel Garcia Jr. in Maple Shade, was hospitalized on June 23 but survived. A day later, authorities searched Garcia's apartment and found more than 750 grams of cocaine and nearly 330 grams of methamphetamine, among other drugs.

After an investigation, Garcia was charged in court with willful distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and possession of firearms by a convicted felon.

According to court documents, the child lives in a shared apartment with Garcia and at least one other person. Authorities have not disclosed who the child's parents or guardians are.

Garcia's roommate, whose identity is unknown, noticed the child acting strangely after Garcia finished feeding her, authorities said.

At first, the child raised his hands in the air and rocked back and forth. The minor then became unresponsive, suffered a seizure and began drooling before his lips turned blue, authorities said.

Garcia, 27, and his roommate took the child to the hospital, where staff defibrillated the child at least twice to restart his heart. The child was flown to a children's hospital and has since been released, court documents show.

A doctor at the children's hospital told officials that the child's symptoms – including seizures and cardiac arrest – indicated a cocaine overdose. During treatment, the child tested positive for cocaine, authorities said.

On June 24, officers executed a search warrant at Garcia's home and found cash, drug packaging paraphernalia and an envelope containing ammunition. A day later, they searched a vehicle Garcia had been driving.

A laundry bag in the vehicle contained 329.1 grams of methamphetamine, 767 grams of cocaine, 41 amphetamine tablets, 102 alprazolam tablets, 272 oxycodone tablets, 2.6 grams of MDMA powder, 1,341 grams of marijuana, 9.9 grams of psilocin and psilocybin mushrooms and 192 grams of crystalline cutting agents commonly used to make illegal drugs, authorities said.

According to investigators, the bag also contained $150,000 in cash, three digital scales, drug packaging material, two 9mm pistols and a .357 Magnum revolver.

Surveillance footage from the apartment complex showed Garcia returning from the hospital and placing the bag from his apartment into the trunk of the vehicle, authorities said.

Garcia has been charged with the crime and his first court date has yet to be set.