Baby who ingested fentanyl revived, Brentwood man charged with assault, DA says

A Brentwood man has been charged with second-degree assault and related charges after authorities said his use of fentanyl caused the poisoning of an 8-month-old child in his care.

The baby survived, but the Suffolk District Attorney's office said the girl had stopped breathing and needed to be resuscitated by responding paramedics, who responded after a 911 call on Nov. 12.

Officials said Narcan was administered to reverse the effects believed to be the result of fentanyl poisoning, and the baby was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip.

Charged was Henry Martinez, 21, of Brentwood. In addition to second-degree assault, he also was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.

Court records show Martinez entered a plea of not guilty at arraignment Thursday in First District Court in Central Islip and that he was released with "non-monetary conditions." The district attorney’s office had requested bail of $300,000 cash or $600,000 bond.

He is due back in court on Nov. 24.

The listed counsel for Martinez could not immediately be reached for comment on Monday.

Investigators learned Martinez "had allegedly snorted a quantity of deadly fentanyl powder with a plastic straw while the infant was allegedly next to him" on a bed — and, according to the statement from the district attorney’s office, he then laid down next to the baby girl — while "holding the straw with drug residue in his hand," causing the exposure.

Authorities did not detail the relationship between the baby and Martinez — and did not explain when or for how long the child had been left in his care.

 A search of the residence recovered "a quantity of fentanyl" from the bedroom floor, as well as what the district attorney’s office described as four digital scales and a cellphone that allowed investigators to trace the purchase of the drug.

"The alleged use of fentanyl in the presence of an eighth-month-old infant, resulting in the child suffering respiratory distress and requiring emergency Narcan treatment, demonstrates a shocking disregard for the safety and welfare of a vulnerable child," Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney said in an emailed statement.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a Newsday reporter since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press, Society of the Silurians and National Headliner Awards for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing. He is the author of “Swee'pea,” about New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. His debut crime novel, “For Nothing Is Hidden,” rooted in 1950s Long Island, was released in October 2025.