Grandmother sentenced for child endangerment
A grandmother is facing court supervision after she overdosed on heroin while watching her grandson.
NORRISTOWN » An Upper Moreland grandmother faces court supervision, community service and addiction counseling on charges she endangered her grandson by overdosing on heroin while the child was in her care.
Donna L. Pilling, 55, of the 1000 block of Oakwood Drive, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to five months already served in jail on a charge of endangering the welfare of a child in connection with the July 2017 incident at her residence. Judge Risa Vetri Ferman also ordered Pilling to complete two years’ probation following parole, meaning Pilling will be under court supervision for a total of about 2½ years.
The judge said Pilling will be placed under addict supervision and must comply with all recommendations for counseling and treatment and she must continue attending community support groups for addiction.
Pilling also must complete 50 hours of community service, the judge said.
A jury convicted Pilling of the child endangerment charge during a trial in March.
During the trial, Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Beeson argued the 10-monthold baby essentially was alone because Pilling decided to get high.
An investigation began about 5 p.m. July 1, 2017, when Upper Moreland police responded to the Oakwood Drive residence for a report of a suspected overdose. Upon arrival police found Pilling unresponsive on the living room floor and she was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment, according to the criminal complaint.
Pilling’s son told investigators that he and his wife went grocery shopping and left their son in Pilling’s care.
“They returned home shortly before the time of the call and located Donna Pilling unresponsive on the living room floor and their 10-month-old son laying on the living room floor,” Upper Moreland Police Officer James Martin Nuskey Jr. wrote in the arrest affidavit, recalling statements made by Pilling’s son. “He advised me that his mother is a known drug user and frequently uses heroin and cocaine.”
Police said it was reported to them that Pilling was alone with the child for about 30 to 40 minutes.
“It is unclear at what time during that period she overdosed and how long the child was unattended,” Nuskey alleged.
During the trial, defense lawyer Sarah Hudson suggested there were too many questions surrounding who, at the time, was responsible for the child’s care. Hudson argued Pilling may be guilty “of making bad choices” but that there was insufficient evidence to convict her of child endangerment.