Fort Lee woman faces charges after girl found dead, suspected overdose – NBC New York

A 48-year-old woman is accused in the death of a 12-year-old girl at a Fort Lee dormitory in what is believed to be an overdose, according to the Bergen County District Attorney’s Office.

Frances Caso, of Fort Lee, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.

The charges stem from an incident on Saturday in which Fort Lee police responded to a 911 call shortly after 3:30 p.m. that a 12-year-old girl was unresponsive in a Maple Street residence.

The girl was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead, prosecutors said. The death is believed to be the result of a possible drug overdose, and a multi-agency investigation has been launched.

According to investigators, a subsequent investigation revealed that Caso and three other minors were in the apartment at the time of the alleged overdose. A search warrant for the apartment allegedly found suspected controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.

The investigation is ongoing.

Caso’s lawyer was initially unknown.