TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG/Gray News) – A couple in Ohio is facing charges after a young child in their family tested positive for cocaine and required the girl to be placed on life support.
Robert and Melisa Ferencz are facing charges of endangering children and possession of cocaine. Robert Ferencz is also facing a tampering with evidence charge, court filings show.
Authorities said the situation started after a woman drove her daughter to an area hospital on May 13, saying she thought the child was choking.
Once at the hospital, doctors determined the child was suffering from acute hypoxic respiratory failure and had tested positive for cocaine.
The child was placed in the pediatric intensive care unit and put on a ventilator because she couldn’t breathe on her own.
Police said the girl was released from the hospital 10 days later and placed in the care of Lucas County Children’s Services.
According to investigators, Robert and Melisa Ferencz were watching the child when the mother and her boyfriend were out on a date.
Robert Ferencz told investigators he may have left cocaine on a tray on his desk in his bedroom, the same room that the child took a nap in that night.
He allegedly flushed the cocaine away after the incident.
The Lucas County grand jury indicted the couple this week. They are expected to face a judge in the coming days.
