Infant Revived After Suspected Opioid Overdose in Eddington

A quick-thinking response by a Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office supervisor helped save the life of an infant who suffered cardiac arrest, believed to be caused by an opioid overdose.

The Penobscot Regional Communications Center received a 911 call reporting the emergency at a residence on Clewleyville Road, May 31. A sheriff’s supervisor, who was only about one minute away, responded immediately.

Upon arrival, the supervisor found the infant unresponsive, not breathing, and without a detectable pulse in the driveway with the child’s parents. The supervisor immediately began CPR, assisted by one of the parents. After confirming there was no airway obstruction, the supervisor learned the infant may have ingested an unknown substance. Two doses of Narcan (naloxone) were administered while CPR continued.

Following the second dose of Narcan, the infant began showing signs of life and was successfully revived on scene.

Eddington Fire & Rescue, Holden Fire & Rescue, and Northern Light Ambulance Service arrived to assist with patient care. The infant was transported to a local hospital for further treatment, where the presence of an opioid was confirmed.

The incident remains under active investigation by the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, the Penobscot County District Attorney’s Office, and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Child Protective Services.

Authorities have not released additional details about how the infant may have been exposed to the opioid.