Mom Who Overdosed In Front Of Daughter Must Remain In Treatment Program
LAWRENCE (CBS) - Mandy McGowan hid under a hood as she faced child endangerment charges in Lawrence District Court Monday.
A heartbreaking video in September shows McGowan passed out in a store, after a drug overdose, her two year old daughter crying and frantically trying to wake her up.
She was revived by two doses of Narcan. Prosecutor Lindsay Shaheen said disturbing evidence was recovered.
"Upon searching the defendant's diaper bag, to find the source of identification they noticed two straws that were cut to several inches long with a white powdery substance on them," Shaheen said.
In an exclusive interview with WBZ in September, McGowan admitted her problem.
"If I knew I was gonna be like that I wouldn't have my daughter with me," she said. "That's not what I want my daughter to see, her trying to hold my hand to get me up and crying her eyes out."
She was released on personal recognizance but required to remain in a treatment program with random screenings for drugs and alcohol. Defense attorney James Klotz says McGowan is making progress.
"This is a young lady who obviously has an issue, she's dealing with that issue, she's done everything that the Department of Children and Family Services in New Hampshire has asked her to do," Klotz said. "She's entered a program she's 67 days into that program."
McGowan's daughter was originally placed in state custody right after the incident. Now prosecutors say she's living with relatives in New Hampshire.