Woman arrested after infant dies of overdose

HOUMA, Louisiana – The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Houma woman four months after authorities say her six-week-old baby died of a fentanyl overdose.

According to TPSO, Meghan Cortez woke up on February 5 to find her baby unconscious next to her. Officers were called to the home and performed CPR on the infant. The baby was taken to the hospital and later died.

“Investigators were able to confirm that Cortez was a heroin user and admitted to using the drug in the late afternoon hours prior to the incident,” TPSO said.

Investigators later confirmed that the infant’s cause of death was fentanyl overdose.

According to deputies, Cortez admitted to taking drugs before going to sleep and may have had close contact with her child after consuming them.

Cortez is now accused of negligent homicide.

Sheriff Tim Soignet said: “My deepest sympathies go out to the family and loved ones of this young victim and to our staff who were responsible for investigating this tragic event. Cases where children are victims are truly difficult to endure and this case is certainly no different. A tremendous amount of investigative work went into this case which has led to this necessary outcome.”

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