Woman accused of failing to seek aid for overdose victim

Morgan City police have arrested a Belle Rose woman accused of failing to give timely help to an opioid overdose victim.

Christen Hebert Brown, 42, La. 308, Bell Rose, was arrested at 11:32 p.m. Monday on a charge of failure to seek assistance. Bail has been set at $100,000.

Investigators with the Morgan City Police Department Detectives Division began an investigation in January related to a potential overdose on opioids, the Police Department said.

According to reports, officers responded to Brashear Avenue regarding a subject who was overdosing on opioids. Officers arrived and located the subject, who was in dire need of medical attention and was showing signs of overdosing.

The subject was transported to a local medical facility and is still under medical care.

The investigation continued, and information was obtained that Brown allegedly failed to render aid to the subject overdosing, the Police Department said. Reports indicate that instead of calling for medical attention, Brown was looking for Narcan, which delayed medical attention that the subject needed. Warrants were prepared for Brown's arrest.

Brown was located in the area of Bayou Vista with the assistance of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office. She was booked and processed in the Morgan City Jail and is awaiting court proceedings.

The police press release said Chief Chad M. Adams and the Morgan City Police Department "want to make everyone aware of the dangers of opioid use. The Morgan City Police Department has seen an influx of overdoses related to opioid use such as heroin and fentanyl. These two drugs are very deadly.

"The Morgan City Police Department is equipped with Narcan, which has been deployed multiple times on overdose investigations. It is very important that anyone that is present of while someone is overdosing to immediately report it. It is required by Louisiana Law to do so. It my save their life."