A new father was arrested Thursday for allegedly selling heroin inside of the maternity ward on the same day his girlfriend gave birth to their baby.
Police were conducting a traffic stop near the hospital when they discovered heroin and drug paraphernalia inside a vehicle. The occupants told police they purchased the heroin from a man at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, Penn. The suspect was later identified as 25-year-old Cody Hulse.
Authorities say police and hospital security confronted Hulse who admitted to having heroin on him and selling it to people who had visited the maternity room where his girlfriend and child were being cared for.
Hulse’s girlfriend alleges she was not aware of the drug deals.
Police called the hospital ahead of time to remove the newborn from the room before they arrived. They allegedly discovered 34 bags of heroin, needles, rubber bands, a spoon and empty stamp bags, according to WMBF.
“[Our] security team works cooperatively with local and state law enforcement on an ongoing basis to help ensure our healthcare is delivered in a safe environment for patients, visitors and employees,” reads a statement from the hospital.
Hulse was arraigned on Friday on charges of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and endangering the welfare of children, reports TIME.
At his arraignment, Hulse admitted to having a heroin addiction. “I really didn’t want to bring it in.”
“This affidavit says you had needles in there, you were selling drugs in there, all with a newborn baby in the room. This is very disturbing,” said District Judge James Albert.
Hulse asked Albert to consider that he is a new father and has a full-time job at a lumber company, reports Trib Live.
Hulse was taken to Westmoreland County Prison where his bond was set at $100,000 cash. He is also ordered to have no contact with his baby.
