Lacey Mom Pleads Guilty In Drug Death Of Her 2-Year-Old Son

LACEY, NJ — A Lacey mother has admitted her role in the fentanyl poisoning death of her 2-year-old son, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Natalie Sabie, 35, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child in connection with the toddler's death, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Officials are seeking a 10-year sentence for the aggravated manslaughter charge and five years for the endangerment charge in New Jersey State Prison for Sabie, subject to the No Early Release Act, Billhimer said. These sentences are to run consecutively.

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.

Her sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 8, 2023.