Child neglect, drug-related charges for parents of infant possibly exposed to fentanyl

The parents of a child who was taken to hospital in critical condition last week, possibly as a result of being exposed to fentanyl, are facing child neglect and drug-related charges, CBC has learned.

• Infant found in critical condition in home with suspected fentanyl residue

The boy, who is eight months old, was in medical distress when emergency responders arrived at theAikins Street home last week.

Winnipeg PoliceConst. Jason Michalyshen said both parents have been taken into custody.

Last Tuesday, police said the child was taken to hospital in critical condition after being rescued from a North End home. They suspected the child may have come into contact with fentanyl.

The child's condition has since been upgraded to stable and the prognosis is positive, police said last week. It's not known if the child has been released from hospital yet.

Winnipeg police deployed their clandestine lab team to the homeas a safety measure due to the toxicity of fentanyl.

"This is new territory for everyone," said Const. Rob Carver at the time. He said hazmat responses like Tuesday's may become more common as the drug spreads.

"The drug is deadly and it's not just deadly to the people who are using it, it's deadly to people in the area and it's changing the nature of what first responders are dealing with."

The drug is a synthetic opioid that has been described by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control as 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.