A heartbreaking photo shows a North Carolina police officer comforting a 1-year-old boy whose parents overdosed on heroin in a parked car.
Police said someone called 911 after seeing the couple slumped over in a vehicle parked outside the Westwood Shopping Center in Fayetteville on Sept. 17. The caller also noticed a child in the backseat.
Officers arrested both parents, 28-year-old Joshua Wright and 26-year-old Alicia Kowszik, on charges of heroin possession and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
While waiting for the 1-year-old’s grandparents to arrive at the scene, Officer Michael Sheeley picked up the child and consoled him in the parking lot.
“This is something that we see routinely, and it’s sad,” Sgt. Jeremy Glass told NBC affiliate station WRAL-TV. “And fortunately, officers were able to capture that candid shot of Officer Sheeley and that young child.”
“To see how many people that drug abuse affects in real life is powerful, and I think everybody needs to see this,” Glass added.
The department encouraged those who may need help with substance abuse to call the National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
