Wesley and Mary Ann Landers

Wesley and Mary Ann Landers (Facebook)

Family and friends are reeling from the death Thursday of a Trinity woman who apparently overdosed in her young daughter's Cincinnati hospital room.

Mary Ann McMeans Landers, 31, was found dead on the floor next to her 7-month-old daughter's hospital bed, a needle still in her arm. Investigators believe she died of a heroin overdose, but the drug she used has not yet been confirmed.

Tracey Bice of Pell City, who called herself Landers' "soul sister," told AL.com that her friend, a mother of two, was not a drug user.

"She was not on drugs. She lived and breathed for Molly and miracle baby Lucy," Bice said. "Please understand that what the news is portraying was not her."

Bice asked that Landers' family be allowed to grieve privately.

Wesley Scott Landers (Hamilton County Sheriff's Office)

Landers and her husband, 32-year-old Wesley Scott Landers, were at Cincinnati Children's Hospital to see Lucy through reconstructive surgery of her trachea, which was too narrow. In family pictures, the baby has a tracheostomy so she can breathe easier.

Wesley Landers also overdosed on drugs at the hospital, police say. Bice declined to comment on his alleged drug use.

Landers was found locked in the bathroom of his daughter's room, also with a needle in his arm. Two more syringes of drugs were found nearby.

After being treated with Narcan - a drug that blocks the effects of opioids and reverses an overdose - he was arrested and charged with drug abuse, carrying a concealed weapon, having weapons while under disability and possessing drug abuse instruments.

A Cincinnati judge arraigned Landers on the charge Friday morning, according to cincinnati.com. He is being held in the Hamilton County jail in lieu of $500,000 bond.

The judge in his case, Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Curt Kissinger, said he weighed the fact that Landers is now a single father.

"If the heroin epidemic has exhibited itself in a more tragic form, I haven't seen it," the news site quoted Kissinger saying.

Landers was booked on gun charges because he had a handgun in his pants pocket when he was found, police say. His wife also allegedly had a gun in her possession at the time of her death.

The charge of having a weapon while under disability likely stems from a 2008 conviction in Alabama on charges of carrying a weapon without a permit and possession of marijuana. Court records show that Landers received probation on those charges; charges of DUI and illegal possession of prescription drugs - one Xanax pill found in his vehicle - were later dismissed.

Landers underwent drug abuse treatment as part of his court case, the documents show.

Mary Ann and Wesley Landers are pictured with their 7-month-old daughter Lucy. (Facebook)

The couple's social media profiles depict them as devoted parents. Wesley Landers' profile also depicts him as a gun enthusiast; at least one photo shows him with a gun strapped to his hip.

Mary Ann Landers on Wednesday posted a photo of herself, her husband and their daughter to their church's Facebook page, asking for prayers for Lucy, who was at that point in surgery. The church has since made the post private.

Wesley Landers also made the photo his profile picture.

Cincinnati officials say the surgery was a success and the baby is recovering well.

Bice described Landers as an "amazing mother" to her daughters, particularly considering her younger girl's medical issues.

"God had a bigger plan for her and He gave Lucy to her because He knew she was the perfect mom for the job," she said.

She also defended her friend against negative comments posted to the GoFundMe page the Landers family had set up to raise funds to help pay for their trip to Cincinnati with Lucy. Many commenters who had heard the story of the couple's overdose went to the page to castigate them for their alleged behavior.

Others offered prayers and understanding for the family. Several people pointed out how difficult the struggle with addiction is.

"My prayers are with the family," wrote Audrey Porter. "To every person posting hateful comments I pray that not a single one of you ever finds yourselves dealing with addiction in your own family. These comments are so disgustingly judgemental, so sad."

Sympathy and sadness were also shared on Facebook.

Simply Horrible. Look at this family: destroyed by drugs, yet appearing so normal and happy just weeks ago.I just DON... Posted by Tina Meyer Shumate on Friday, January 8, 2016

I really can't even begin to understand . I was just at their house . I'm gonna miss Mary Ann Landers so much . I love Molly & Lucy with all my heart . Posted by Katie Morrow on Thursday, January 7, 2016