In a disturbing turn of events, a Vancouver mother faced arrest after authorities attended to a critical incident involving a toddler’s drug overdose at approximately 8 p.m. Thursday, police rushed to a residence on the 4000 block of Northeast 109th Street upon receiving a report of a three-year-old child overdosing.

Also read: Tragic discovery: Tourists found dead in Mexico well with bullet wounds, local authorities reveal

Responding officers discovered that the child’s grandmother had administered two doses of Narcan, a medication used to counteract opioid overdoses, in an attempt to revive the young child. Despite her attempts, emergency medical services (EMS) were initially obstructed from attending to the child, as the mother, identified as 27-year-old Summer Justice Ward, barred them from entering the bedroom.

Police were forced to intervene, gaining entry to the room, thereby allowing EMS to provide the necessary medical assistance to the child. A local resident, Jenny Cerdena, shared the distressing mood within the neighborhood following the incident. She recounted a second-hand account indicating the gravity of the situation, with paramedics taking the toddler away without the parents being allowed to accompany them.

Further investigation led to the discovery of a plastic bag containing a powdery substance and foil on Ward’s person. The substance was subsequently confirmed to be methamphetamine through testing.

The appalling circumstances prompted authorities to place both the three-year-old and Ward’s other two-year-old child into protective custody, highlighting concerns for their well-being.

Ward now faces an array of charges, including endangering a child with a controlled substance, resisting arrest, obstructing law enforcement, and possession of a controlled substance. Her arrest adds to an alarming pattern in the area, as police noted this was the second call of the day related to a small child ingesting narcotics, signaling an urgent need for heightened awareness and prevention of such incidents.

The children involved are receiving care as the local community comes to terms with the shocking events, while Ward awaits legal proceedings for her actions that endangered the young lives under her charge.