Ohio grandmother in viral heroin OD photo sentenced

Rhonda Pasek, photographed with her boyfriend slumped in a vehicle after OD’ing on heroin, was sentenced to 180 days for child endangerment

September 15, 2016 03:02 PM

In this Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016 photo released by the East Liverpool Police Department, a young child sits in a vehicle behind his grandmother and a man, both of whom are unconscious from a drug overdose, in East Liverpool, Ohio.

Associated Press

EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio — A woman photographed with her boyfriend slumped in a vehicle after overdosing on heroin as her 4-year-old grandson sat in the backseat has pleaded no contest to a child endangering charge in southeast Ohio.

A judge in East Liverpool on Thursday sentenced 50-year-old Rhonda Pasek to 180 days in jail. The boyfriend received 360 days in jail last week after pleading no contest to child endangering and operating a vehicle under the influence.

Photos taken by East Liverpool police of Pasek and 47-year-old James Acord went viral last week after being posted on Facebook.

A Juvenile Court judge has granted custody of the boy to relatives in South Carolina.

Pasek’s attorney says her client is embarrassed by the international attention the photos have received and wanted the case over with.

Arrests and Sentencing Drug Interdiction / Narcotics