HAMBURG -- A Highland Lakes woman is facing child endangerment charges after apparently overdosing in a 7-Eleven convenience store bathroom while her 5-year-old daughter cried for help, police said.

HAMBURG — A Highland Lakes woman is facing child endangerment charges after apparently overdosing in a 7-Eleven convenience store bathroom while her 5-year-old daughter cried for help, police said.

Kassandra Potsel, 26, was charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

On Sunday, Aug. 20, Hamburg police were dispatched to 6 Route 23, the location of a 7-Eleven convenience store, on a report of a child — later identified as a 5-year-old —locked inside of a bathroom crying for help, police said.

The officers learned en route that 7-Eleven employees had gained access to the bathroom, locating the child and her mother — later identified as Potsel.

Police said Potsel was lying on the floor suffering from an apparent heroin overdose.

Upon arrival, Hamburg Police Sgt. George Gunderman and Patrolman Devin Gormley talked to Potsel, who regained consciousness on her own.

While speaking with her, the officers observed two hypodermic needles — one on the bathroom floor and another on the baby changing table — and 10 glassine bags of suspected heroin, police said.

Hamburg EMS responded, provided care to Potsel and then transported her to Newton Medical Center.

Potsel was taken into custody after she was released from Newton Medical Center.

According to Hamburg Police Sgt. Jason Tangorra, police were unable to charge Potsel with any drug or paraphernalia charges due to the Overdose Prevention Act that was signed into law in 2013.

The purpose of the statute is to encourage persons to seek immediate medical assistance whenever a drug overdose occurs without fear of being arrested, the law states.

Potsel was lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in Newton, and according to court records, was released on Aug. 22 and is due to appear in state Superior Court later this month.

Although Tangorra was unable to comment further as to what happened with the child, he did say that the Division of Child Protection and Permanency was contacted and arrived on scene.

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