Authorities say Indianapolis resident Marialuiza Ruiz, 32, has been charged with felony child neglect after her 9-month-old daughter reportedly overdosed on fentanyl. Ruiz was arrested this week and booked into the Marion County Jail.
The case unfolded when Indianapolis Metro Police and emergency responders were called to a home on the city’s south side for an unresponsive infant. Upon arrival, paramedics found the baby had turned blue and possibly overdosed. They administered Narcan, successfully reviving the child.
Medical staff at Riley Children’s Hospital later confirmed the presence of fentanyl in the baby’s system. Investigators executed a search warrant at Ruiz’s home, where they reportedly found drug paraphernalia, including syringes and spoons with a white powdery substance.
Authorities also noted that both Ruiz and her child had tested positive for fentanyl at the infant’s birth. The Department of Child Services had previously placed the child in state custody but had recently allowed overnight visits with her mother.
Ruiz remains in custody as the investigation continues.
Sometime during the night, she said she noticed her daughter was not breathing and called 911 for help. However, detectives questioned how the infant could have ingested fentanyl while under her care.
During the investigation, officers discovered drug paraphernalia throughout the home, including syringes, spoons with a white powdery residue, and bottle caps with drug residue. Police also noted that Ruiz’s phone was confiscated as part of the investigation.
According to the Department of Child Services, the infant had tested positive for fentanyl at birth, as had Ruiz, raising concerns about long-term drug exposure. The agency had previously placed the children under state care but had recently allowed unsupervised overnight visits with their mother.
Ruiz has been charged with felony child neglect and remains in the Marion County Jail as authorities continue their investigation. The infant, who was revived twice with Narcan, is expected to recover.
