A Mother’s Shocking Confession
Disturbing audio recordings released by investigators revealed that a Kentucky mother, Brianne Ehlinger, admitted to accidentally exposing her 8-month-old baby to heroin, resulting in the infant overdosing.
In November 2023, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office responded to a distress call at Ehlinger’s home in Burlington after her baby daughter experienced respiratory distress.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that the child had overdosed on heroin, leading to Ehlinger and the girl’s father, Shawn Gardner, being arrested in December.
Revealing Audio Footage
Newly released audio recordings capture Ehlinger tearfully confessing to the police about how she exposed her child to the deadly narcotic.
She expressed her regret, stating, “It never should have happened.”
Ehlinger revealed her struggle with drug addiction since the age of 18 and admitted to relapsing after being clean for two years.
A Tragic Mistake
Ehlinger recounted the heartbreaking moment when she played with her child after using heroin and inadvertently allowed her baby to ingest the drug from her hands.
Despite typically washing her hands after using heroin, Ehlinger had forgotten to do so before interacting with her daughter.
She admitted to having heroin residue on her finger when she checked her baby’s mouth.
Legal Consequences
Following their arrest, Ehlinger pleaded guilty to wanton endangerment and endangering the welfare of a minor in May.
She is set to face sentencing later this month, with a potential one to five years behind bars.
Gardner, the girl’s father, will also appear in court to face similar charges.
The child, who miraculously survived the overdose with the help of first responders, is now under the care of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Legal proceedings are ongoing as the family grapples with the consequences of this tragic incident.
