Ocean County Mom Charged In Daughter’s Fatal Drug Overdose

Friday, July 25, 2025, 6:45 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

OCEAN GATE, NJ.- On Tuesday, following an investigation, a 32-year-old Ocean Gate, New Jersey, mother was taken into custody and charged in connection with the tragic fatal drug overdose of her two-year-old daughter that occurred last Thursday inside their home.

     According to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, on Thursday, July 17, 2025, Detectives of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit responded to Community Medical Center in Toms River, New Jersey, after being notified of a two-year-old girl in critical condition. The child was airlifted to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for further treatment.

     On Monday, July 21, 2025, the child tragically passed away. Tests that were performed on the child while she was hospitalized revealed the presence of methadone in the child’s system. 

O’Connor Finds Child Unresponsive In Her Crib

     During the initial investigation, Detectives of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, the Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, and the Ocean Gate Police Department determined that during the morning hours of Thursday, July 17, 2025, Jenna O’Connor, 32, of Ocean Gate, called 911 after finding her daughter unresponsive in her crib. 

Detectives Determine She Allowed The Be To Be Exposed To Methadone

     The investigation further determined that O’Connor was at home and was responsible for the young child’s care on Wednesday, July 16, through July 17, 2025, and that the child had access to and ingested methadone inside the home.

     Accordingly, on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, O’Connor was taken into custody and charged by Detectives with one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. She was processed on the charges and was remanded to the Ocean County Jail pending future court proceedings in Ocean County Superior Court in Toms River, New Jersey.

     “While the death of this baby is tragic, the investigation remains active and ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming,” Prosecutor Billhimer noted.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”