Sara Renee Cantu
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — Police are accustomed to being called to the scene of a crime or some violent activity in progress, so one can only imagine the tenor of things when, just after midnight on January 29th, the medical staff at Lompoc Valley Medical Center notified law enforcement of the birth of a newborn child that possibly required their attention.
According to Lompoc Police Department’s Watch Commander report, officers arrived at the hospital to learn that maternity staff had just delivered a newborn infant “who tested positive for heroin.” The mother who had just given birth was identified as Sara Renee Cantu, with no age or place of residence specified.
Pursuant to the blood tests of her newborn, under the direction of law enforcement at the scene, Cantu was soon administered a blood analysis and was herself determined to be under the influence of heroin “and other narcotics.”
Once mother and child were medically stabilized, Cantu was arrested at the scene and charged with felony child endangerment and being under the influence of a controlled substance.
She was also arrested at the scene pursuant to “three outstanding warrants” for her arrest, whereupon she was transported to Santa Barbara County Jail for booking and further medical observation.
The newborn child was remanded to Santa Barbara County Social Services and remains in “stable” condition.
Photo: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Jail Booking
