Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Evesham Township Police Chief Christopher Chew announced that a Willingboro drug dealer was charged with causing the death of a teenage girl who fatally overdosed late last year on heroin that he delivered to her Marlton home.
Austin F. Cooper, 21, of the first block of Buckeye Lane in Willingboro, was charged with one count of Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death (First Degree). He was taken into custody Friday evening by officers from the Edgewater Park Township Police Department. A hearing will be held Wednesday in Superior Court in Mount Holly on the State’s motion to detain Cooper.
The victim was discovered by a family member after a heroin overdose on December 26, 2017. She was unresponsive but alive and was transported to Virtua Marlton Hospital before being flown to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She was pronounced dead at CHOP on December 28.
The investigation revealed that Cooper delivered 10 bags of heroin to the victim’s residence prior to her death. Cooper was previously charged in connection with this case with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Third Degree) and Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Third Degree).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Jeremy Lackey. The investigation was conducted by the Evesham Township Police Department. The lead investigator was Evesham Township Police Detective Andrew Beuschel.
All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.