Police release shocking photos of overdosed parents with child in backseat

Ohio police posted shocking photos of a couple in the middle of a heroin overdose with their child in the backseat. Officers in East Liverpool City conducted a traffic stop on Wednesday after they received a report about a Ford Explorer with a West Virginia plate driving erratically and weaving in and out of lanes.

When Officer Kevin Thompson approached the vehicle, he found the driver, James Acord, in a bad state and his speech was "almost unintelligible". Thompson also noticed the passenger, Rhonda Pasek, was completely passed out in the front seat. Thompson believed that Acord was trying to explain that he was taking Pasek to the hospital.

It was then that the 4-year-old boy was discovered in the backseat of the car, later identified as Pasek's son. The boy's presence made the department to share the images of the couple slumped over in the front seat in "order to show the other side of this horrible drug".

"The city Police department recently responded to a call of an incapacitated driver, attached are photos from the scene along with the actual police report. The city administration works hand in hand with our men in blue to combat this epidemic and together with the law director we have made the decision to release the attached.

We feel it necessary to show the other side of this horrible drug. We feel we need to be a voice for the children caught up in this horrible mess. This child can't speak for himself but we are hopeful his story can convince another user to think twice about injecting this poison while having a child in their custody. 

We are well aware that some may be offended by these images and for that we are truly sorry, but it is time that the non drug using public sees what we are now dealing with on a daily basis. The poison known as heroin has taken a strong grip on many communities not just ours, the difference is we are willing to fight this problem until it's gone and if that means we offend a few people along the way we are prepared to deal with that."

The child has been placed with a family friend. Accord and Pasek are facing criminal charges.

According to Morning Journal, Accord, 47, pleaded no contest on Thursday to driving under the influence and endangering children and was sentenced to 180 days in jail and a fine of $475.

Pasek, 50, pled not guilty to charges of endangering children and disorderly conduct, as well as seat belt violation.


Source: City of East Liverpool/Morning Journal