Note: earlier versions of the lost story identify Walter Clark’s connection to the child.
A 2-year-old child who died July 23 had cocaine and fentanyl in her system, and a Cherry Hill man has been charged in connection with her death, the Camden County District Attorney’s Office and Cherry Hill Police said.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Cherry Hill police officers and emergency medical personnel responded to a home in the 300 block of Evergreen Avenue around 7:46 p.m. on July 23. The child, whose name has been redacted in the statement, was unconscious and unresponsive. She had severe burns to her face and chest, the affidavit said, and a discharge from her nose and mouth. She was taken to Cooper University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 9:06 p.m
Officers also observed drug paraphernalia and used heroin wax wrappers and plastic bags of cocaine in the home, the affidavit said.
Walter H. Clark was charged with aggravated assault, aggravated murder and endangerment. The 27-year-old was charged after an investigation found cocaine and fentanyl in the child’s system. A detention hearing was held Wednesday, and Clark will be held in the Camden County Jail pending the outcome of the case.
The charges against Clark are only allegations and he has not been convicted in connection with the case.
Phaedra Trethan has been a South Jersey reporter and editor since 2007 and has covered Camden and surrounding areas since 2015, focusing on issues related to quality of life and social justice for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and Daily Journal. She has called South Jersey home since 1971. Contact her with comments, news tips or questions at [email protected], on Twitter @By_Phaedra or by phone at 856.486-2417.
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