TOMS RIVER, NJ – A Pleasantville woman has been charged for the death of a man who died from a dose of fentanyl-laced heroin in South Toms River earlier this year.
Michele Baker, 39, was charged for the death of the 44-year-old South Toms River man months after police responded to a residence on South Main Street for a report of an unresponsive male.
On April 19, South Toms River police officers discovered the body of the victim, who was already deceased from an apparent drug overdose.
“An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and South Toms River Police Department Detective Bureau determined that Baker had sold Heroin and Fentanyl to the victim on April 18, 2022,” Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. “Further investigation and toxicology analysis recently received by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the presence of Heroin and Fentanyl in the victim’s system. Based upon the toxicology analysis, the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office opined that the Heroin and Fentanyl found in the victim’s system was the cause of his death.”
On June 21st, an arrest warrant was issued for Baker. She was arrested on June 26th in Howell where she was transported to the Ocean County Jail.
As of Thursday, Baker is no longer in jail, according to inmate records.
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