Parents Arrested on Assault Charges After Infant Overdose

The child has been discharged from the hospital.

Brianne Ehlinger and Shawn Gardner. Photos provided.

(Boone County, Ky.) – The parents of an 8-month-old infant have been arrested on charges of Assault 1st Degree.

Boone County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 1600 block of Deer Run Drive in Burlington last Sunday night after receiving a report that the infant was not breathing.

Upon arrival, first responders immediately began administering life saving measures including CPR. Due to the unchanging conditions of the child, she was transported by ground to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

There the infant was administered a dose of Narcan that proved to be effective and caused her vital signs to improve.

Through the investigation, detectives learned that on the day of the child’s overdose, her parents, Shawn Gardner, 34, and Brianne Ehlinger, 33, had ingested fentanyl inside of the home. During an interview with detectives on Thursday, both allegedly admitted to using fentanyl in the home away from the child, but then had direct contact with her thereafter and before she became unconscious.

Gardner and Ehlinger were taken into custody on Thursday and charged with Assault 1st Degree. Both are held on $100,000 bond.

The child has since been discharged from the hospital and is now in the custody and care of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.