Two-Year-Old Recovering After Suspected Fentanyl Overdose in Grass Valley; Caregiver Arrested
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“Grass Valley, CA – A two-year-old boy is stable and recovering in an area hospital, following a suspected fentanyl overdose at a private residence in Grass Valley.
On the evening of Dec. 10, the Sheriff’s Nevada County Regional Dispatch Center received a distraught 911 call, reporting a toddler was overdosing on fentanyl. Deputies and detectives of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) as well as area medics from Nevada County Consolidated Fire Engine #59 and Sierra Nevada Ambulance Medic #6 immediately responded to the residence on the 12000 block of Rough and Ready Highway, arriving back-to-back minutes later.
The child was found unresponsive and was not breathing. Narcan, an opioid overdose reversal medication, was administered several times by medics to revive the child. He was initially transported to Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital in critical condition for treatment and once stabilized, transported again to another area hospital for a higher level of intensive care.
NCSO deputies and detectives observed narcotics and drug paraphernalia in plain view when responding to the residence. Taylor Anthony McGrath-Hiles, 33, of Grass Valley, was found to be the party responsible for the child’s wellbeing. He was arrested and booked into Wayne Brown Correctional Facility on the following charges: 273a(a) PC – child endangerment and 11364(a) HS – possession of drug paraphernalia.
A search warrant for the residence was obtained by NCSO detectives and several narcotics and drug paraphernalia were collected from the residence as evidence, including suspected fentanyl, suspected methamphetamine, pipes, syringes, spent and unspent Narcan, among other items. It should be noted many of these items could be easily accessed by a child and some were found on the floor.
Based on the seriousness of the case, NCSO detectives sought and received a bail enhancement of $150,000 for McGrath-Hiles. He remains in custody at this time.
The welfare of children is of utmost importance. People who suspect child abuse or child endangerment are encouraged to call their local law enforcement authority and report it to Child Welfare Services.”
