Police say the incident took place on Bartram Road in Evesham just after 11 a.m. on October 17 of last year.
The following information is on file with the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office:
Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina has announced that a Cherry Hill man was indicted today for allegedly abandoning a person who was experiencing a heroin overdose in Evesham last year.
According to officials, a Burlington County Grand Jury found that Peter Baron Jr., 35, “did recklessly engage in conduct which created a substantial risk of death to another person.”
Baron was indicted on one count of Endangering Another Person (third degree). The indictment was returned today and signed by Prosecutor Coffina. Officials say an arraignment will be scheduled soon in Superior Court.
According to officials, the investigation revealed that Baron allegedly carried the victim from a car and placed him inside the foyer of a home on Bartram Road in Evesham just after 11 a.m. on October 17 of last year. Baron then allegedly fled without calling for medical help.
Officials say a witness alerted the Evesham Township Police Department, and responding officers revived the victim by administering multiple doses of Narcan.
According to officials, the state enacted a law in 2013 known as the Overdose Prevention Act, which encourages people to report drug overdoses without fear of being arrested.
Under the measure, known informally as the Good Samaritan law, those who call 911 to report overdoses will be immune from arrest and prosecution for drug possession or usage. The law also applies to people who call for help themselves while overdosing.
“Remember this phrase: ‘Don’t run, call 911’,” Coffina said. “There is no acceptable reason for anyone who witnesses an overdose to fail to seek help for the person who is suffering. The victim in this case was extremely fortunate that police were alerted and effectively utilized their training to save his life.”
The case was presented to the Grand Jury by Assistant Prosecutor Bethany Deal, supervisor of the BCPO Grand Jury/Screening Unit. The Evesham Township Police (NJ) Department conducted the investigation.
