NJ nursing home resident charged in heroin overdose at facility

STAFFORD — What started as a call for an overdose at the Manahawkin Nursing and Rehab has developed into one of the residents of the facility facing drug charges.

First responders were initially called to Route 72 location on the night of Dec. 30 for an overdose, treating the 51-year-old victim with Narcan before she was taken to Southern Ocean Medical Center for further treatment. Township police reported she was treated and then released from the hospital soon after.

An investigation into the incident revealed that the woman had been sold fentanyl/heroin by a resident at the facility, which resulted in a search warrant being issued for 59-year-old Walter Gibbs' room. The warrant was executed by the Stafford Township Drug Enforcement Unit and resulted in the discovery of close to 20 glassine envelopes with a substance, which was believed to be heroin/fentanyl.

Gibbs, an Atlantic City resident, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute. He was also found to have outstanding warrants out of Atlantic City and was turned over the Atlantic County Sheriff's Department.