Written by: E. George
Published April 22, 2024 @ 9:30 PM ET
RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. – A 37-year-old Hephzibah woman and her 41-year-old boyfriend are facing second-degree child cruelty charges after her infant son overdosed from fentanyl on a $20 bill. Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Rosa Maria Solis-Garcia on March 24, 2024, after responding to the overdose of a juvenile at her home the previous morning.
Upon arrival, Solis-Garcia told the deputies that her baby crawled around on the bed as she made it. She then noticed that he held a $20 bill that she had hidden under her pillow and took it from him.
A few minutes later, the baby stayed in a crawling position without moving, and she thought he was defecating. She said she felt something was wrong, so she picked him up.
She saw that his lips were turning blue, and his skin was becoming pale. At that moment, her boyfriend, Thomas W. Wright III, arrived and began CPR on the baby while she dialed 911.
Solis-Garcia stated that she believed the bill contained something that caused the infant to become ill. She said her daughter found the money in front of their home and gave it to her, believing it belonged to her.
AUMC ER medical staff informed the deputies that the baby’s urine tested positive for fentanyl. This case is pending.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On Saturday March 23, 2024, at 1113 hours, I Deputy Ferrer, was dispatched to 1120 15Th St (AUMC ER PED #1), in reference to an overdose of a juvenile.
Upon arrival, I spoke with Rosa Solis-Garcia (Arrested), who stated that on today’s date her son [REDACTED BY AGENCY] (Victim) was laying in their bedroom bed. Garcia stated that the victim was crawling around in the bed as she attempted to make the bed. Garcia stated that she then noticed the victim was holding a $20.00 bill that she had hidden under her pillow. Garcia stated that she took the $20.00 bill away from the victim.
Garcia then stated that a few minutes later, the victim stood in a crawling position without moving, in which she believed the victim was pooping. Garcia stated that she felt something was wrong and picked up the victim. Garcia stated that she noticed the victim’s lips were turning blue and his skin was turning pale white. Garcia stated that during that time her boy friend Thomas Wright (Arrested) arrived to the house and began giving the victim cpr, while she called 911. Garcia stated that she believed the $20.00 bill might’ve had something that cause the victim to get sick. Garcia stated that that her daughter had found the $20.00 bill in front of her residence and gave it to Garcia believing that it belonged to Garcia.
During Deputy’s investigation, I spoke with AUMC ER medical staff RN [REDACTED], who stated that the victim tested positive for fentanyl from a quick drug screen via urine. Informed Sgt Olivares /B10 who notified CID Inv Syria /723. The case was turned over to CID.
[End of Narrative]