Pennsylvania authorities have arrested the parents of a 3-year-old boy nearly a year after he died of an overdose of cocaine and fentanyl.
Mousa Hawa, 41, and Holly Back, 40, were charged with third degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and other charges, the Chester County District Attorney’s Office said.
Criminal complaints say that investigators were called to the scene in Coatesville at about 2:30 a.m. on July 26, 2023. They found Hawa performing CPR on the unresponsivle child. Officers took over CPR and noted “several crystalline baggies scattered throughout the living room and other medication bottles in a bag on the floor.”
Medical personnel took the boy to Chester County Hospital, but he died about an hour later.
Blood and urine samples from the child found cocaine and fentanyl in the child’s system. A hair sample also showed traces of fentanyl, indicating exposure to the drug prior to the overdose.
Investigators found empty heroin bags on the floor of the room where officers first encountered the child, along with shoebox containing hundreds of small glassine bags “that each contained blue fentanyl/heroin bags that were either empty or contained residue.” Detectives further found text messages between the two adults discussing drug use on the day the child overdosed.
According to the complaint, Hawa told investigators that his son knew not to touch what his parents called “Daddy’s medicine,” WPVI reported.
Investigators told the station it took nearly a year to gather all the information they needed to bring the charges, including toxicology reports and discussions with experts.
After their son’s death, Hawa and Back started a GoFundMe, saying the boy had “passed suddenly” and “we loved him with all our hearts.” It has raised nearly $900 of a goal of $2,500.
The affidavit said there were signs of trouble prior to the boy’s death. Doctors were concerned about his poor vision and language delay, and he was in and out of the hospital for injuries staff believed were signs of abuse. It’s not clear if medical personnel ever reported their concerns.
Chester County District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe said Hawa and Back denied using drugs in spite of all the evidence found within easy reach of a child in their home.
Back was given a $1 million bond at her arraignment this week. Hawa was already in jail on unrelated drug charges.
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[Featured image: Holly Back and Mousa Hawa/Chester County District Attorney’s Office]
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Author: KC Wildmoon
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