Woman Charged With Child Endangerment After Being Found On The Floor, Police Say

A Bristol Township woman has been charged with six counts of endangering the welfare of children after she allegedly appeared to be suffering an overdose while watching them.

Officers were called to the 2400 block of Bloomsdale Road Monday at 11:18 p.m. after a young child reported his mother was on the floor and would not wake up. Upon arrival, an 8-year-old child opened the door and led an officer upstairs to where Lateefa Sharee Ballard, 28, was laying of the floor and was not breathing normally, according to court papers.

Police said that Ballard had an “irregular heavy gasping snore” that continued after she was turned over. She also reportedly did not respond to calls of her name, a light shined in her eyes, and a harsh rubbing of her sternum.

Police administered naloxone and a paramedic from the Levittown-Fairless Hills Rescue Squad began treatment, administering another dose of naloxone, according to court papers.

After the second dose of naloxone, Ballard awoke and appeared confused and surprised by the presence of emergency personnel, police said.

Ballard allegedly denied using illegal drugs and refused to get medical treatment. Officers noted she also refused to contact another adult to come supervise the children.

Police said that Ballard became “increasingly belligerent and uncooperative with officers and emergency personnel.”

“With the totality of the observations of Ballard, it was determined that she appeared to be overdosing,” police wrote.

There were six children in the home when Ballard was found by police, including two who were still secured in car seats. The children ranged in age from 1 to 8 years old, police noted in court papers.

Ballard was arraigned early Tuesday morning and sent to the Bucks County Correctional Facility unable to post 10 percent of $75,000 bail.

Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.