TOMS RIVER – A woman has been arrested and criminally charged for supplying drugs to a man which he overdosed on, officials said.
Michele Baker, 39, of Pleasantville, was charged with Strict Liability Drug Induced Death in connection to the death of a 44-year-old man in South Toms River on April 19. Baker has also been charged with Distribution of Heroin/Fentanyl, Possession of Heroin/Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Heroin/Fentanyl.
On April 19, South Toms River Police Officers received a report of an unresponsive man at a home on South Main Street. Officers found the body of the victim who was already deceased from an apparent drug overdose, officials said.
Authorities determined that Baker had sold heroin and fentanyl to the victim on April 18.
In addition, a toxicology analysis confirmed the presence of heroin and fentanyl in the victim’s system. Based upon the toxicology analysis, the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office opined that the heroin and fentanyl found in the victim’s system was the cause of his death.
On June 26, Baker was arrested by the Howell Township Police Department on an unrelated shoplifting charge, police said.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer commended the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Narcotics Strike Force, and High Tech Crime Unit, South Toms River Police, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Pleasantville Police, Howell Police and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced are merely accusations and the public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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