Quakers Hill girl, 5, dies from suspected methadone overdose, police investigating
Updated
Police are investigating after a five-year-old western Sydney girl died from a suspected overdose of methadone — the substance used to treat heroin addicts.
The ABC understands a relative was caring for the girl and her brother at a home in Quaker's Hill while the children's parents were at work.
The relative called paramedics when the child became "unresponsive" last Tuesday.
She was treated at the scene and had been in a critical condition ever since in the Children's Hospital Westmead.
Police said the little girl died in hospital on Sunday.
Police said they were working closely with the grieving family, and the New South Wales Police Child Abuse Squad was investigating how the child could have taken the methadone.
The ABC understands the girl's brother did not return a positive test to the drug.
Methadone is a strong painkiller often prescribed to treat recovering heroin addicts.
State Crime Command Child Abuse Squad detectives are investigating the young girl's death and are speaking with her family.
Methadone, which can only be obtained legally as part of a treatment program, combats withdrawal symptoms for people addicted to heroin and other opiates.
A daily dose is normally obtained from a clinic or pharmacy.
Topics: crime, health, drugs-and-substance-abuse, drug-use, drug-offences, community-and-society, law-crime-and-justice, quakers-hill-2763
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