Cape May Court House, NJ – A Ringwood man has been charged after a 2-year-old boy was hospitalized and tested positive for cocaine while the pair were vacationing in Wildwood, according to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office.
Alexander T. Moles, 39, was arrested following a joint investigation by the Wildwood Police Department and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit into the child’s medical emergency.
The incident began on Monday, July 20, when the North Wildwood Fire Department responded to the area of 21st Street and New Jersey Avenue for a report of a sick 2-year-old boy.
Child revived with Narcan
When first responders arrived, they found Moles driving the child to the hospital because the boy was having difficulty breathing.
Emergency medical personnel administered two doses of Naloxone (Narcan), and the child responded to the medication before being transported to Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional for additional treatment.
Preliminary blood testing later indicated the child was positive for cocaine, prompting a criminal investigation.
Authorities determined Moles and the child had been staying at a residence in Wildwood while on vacation when the child became ill.
Multiple charges filed
Following the investigation, Moles was arrested on July 21 and charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree possession of cocaine, fourth-degree possession of prescription legend drugs, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a disorderly persons offense.
He was processed on the charges and lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility.
During a detention hearing on July 24, a judge ordered Moles released subject to conditions pending further court proceedings.
The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at (609) 465-1135 or submit an anonymous tip through cmcpo.tips.
