Belle Rose woman charged in third overdose case

A Belle Rose woman, already charged with murder and failure to seek assistance in two overdose cases, has been booked in connection with a third, Morgan City police said.

Christen Hebert Brown, 42, La. 308, Belle Rose, was arrested at 2 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of failure to seek assistance.

The arrest stems from an investigation conducted by the Morgan City Police Department Detectives Division that began Jan. 31, when investigators responded to a local motel in the area of La. 182 regarding a potential overdose.

Jesse Engleton, 52 was found to be deceased. Engleton's death was suspected to be from an alleged overdose, which was later confirmed by an autopsy.

According to reports, Brown was present when Engleton overdosed. Investigators learned that instead of calling for medical assistance that could have saved Engleton's life, Brown waited, the Police Department said. This delay eventually led to Engleton's death.

Warrants were prepared for Brown's arrest. The investigation into Engleton's death continues.

Brown was located and arrested at the Morgan City Jail, where she was incarcerated on charges not related to this investigation. She was charged and is now awaiting court proceedings.

Brown had already been booked on a second-degree murder charge in the Aug. 11 death of Harold Sheets, 37, also by overdose. Police said the investigation revealed and corroborated information indicating that Brown administered the toxic drug on which Sheets overdosed. The St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office assisted in that investigation.

Brown was also booked on a charge of failure to seek assistance in another January overdose case in which the victim survived. As of April 11, the victim was still under medical care, police said.

Police Chief Adams said he wants to remind everyone that in the event that a suspected overdose does occur, do not wait. "Don't let the case of someone getting in trouble cause someone to lose their life," Adams said. "If someone is in need of medical assistance related to an overdose you are required to report it and seek aid."

The Morgan City Police Department will continue to investigate these overdoses in our area. If you fail to render aid, as you are required to do so, you will be held accountable, the press release said.