Lacey Mom Indicted On Manslaughter Charge In Toddler's Death: Official

LACEY, NJ — A grand jury indicted a Lacey mom on an aggravated manslaughter charge in connection with the fentanyl poisoning death of her 2-year-old son, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Natalie Sabie, 35, was also indicted on three counts of endangering the welfare of a child and possession of fentanyl, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Sabie was taking care of her toddler son on Sept. 7, 2022, when she found him unresponsive, Billhimer said.

Responders attempted life-saving measures, but the boy was pronounced dead at Community Medical Center, Billhimer said.

Investigation found that not only was the toddler in Sabie's care when he was found unresponsive, he had access to illegal narcotics and there were two other minor children in the house at the time, Billhimer said.

A toxicology report found that the boy had a significant amount of fentanyl in his system, Billhimer said, and the cause of death was determined to be "acute fentanyl intoxication."

Sabie was taken into custody on Oct. 14, 2022, and has remained in Ocean County Jail since.