In a harrowing case that underscores the deadly consequences of the opioid crisis, Robert Mauro, 40, from Miller Place in Suffolk County, has pleaded guilty to charges of “recklessly causing the death” of a Patchogue woman who overdosed on fentanyl, as well as selling the potent drug to a Lake Grove man, whose 11-month-old infant later suffered from fentanyl poisoning.

The grim details of the case began to unfold on January 13, when a 911 caller reported a nonresponsive infant in Lake Grove. Upon arrival, first responders found the 11-month-old child in dire straits: “He had turned blue, his eyes were rolled toward the back of his head, and he was having extreme difficulty breathing.”

The infant was rushed to the hospital, where staff diagnosed him with acute fentanyl poisoning, hypoxia, and respiratory failure. Medical personnel successfully revived the child using Narcan.

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Just a few weeks later, on January 26, a 31-year-old woman from Patchogue reached out to Mauro regarding a narcotics sale. Text messages recovered from her cellphone revealed a chilling exchange just days before her death.

In her message, she texted Mauro, “I’m not trying to drop dead” and asked, “is it really strong? Should I be concerned?” Mauro’s response was dismissive, stating, “lol u will b fine,” and assured her he would provide a “non-fenty” mix, implying the narcotics would not contain fentanyl.

However, investigators later discovered that in the Patchogue home where the woman was found dead three days later, police uncovered a quantity of fentanyl mixed with 4-ANPP, a chemical commonly associated with fentanyl products, which they allege Mauro sold to her on January 28. An autopsy later confirmed that her cause of death was acute intoxication from the combined effects of narcotics, including fentanyl.

Mauro’s guilty plea marks a significant moment in the ongoing battle against the opioid epidemic, as authorities continue to grapple with the devastating impact of fentanyl on communities. The tragic stories of the victims serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for awareness and intervention in the face of this public health crisis.