Parents of drowned girl charged with drug possession, endangerment

The parents of a 2-year-old girl who fell into a Berkeley Township pool last August and drowned have been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, drug possession and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

Brigett M. McCarthy and Robert Trella are parents to both girls and live in the home on Bittern Lane, authorities said. During the investigation police found marijuana and heroin. McCarthy asked her daughter, while police were present, to get her a tin with suspected heroin in it. According to the Prosecutor's Office, Trella tried to destroy the marijuana. Neighbors told police that the two girls often wandered the neighborhood and the 9-year-old was took responsibility for the care of her sister.

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato said the 2-year-old was discovered missing when her 9-year-old sister ran down the street looking for her. Police found the girl's body in a neighbor's pool. She later died at Community Medical Center in Toms River.

Anyone with information about this case should contact Berkley Township Police at 732-241-6600 or the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office at 732-929-2027.