Hid heroin and crack under her baby, say Manchester police

A Toms River woman whose car was stopped for an apparent vehicle violation Monday in Manchester is accused of hiding heroin and crack cocaine in the safety seat holding her 19-month-old.  

Tara Worthy, 26, faces two drug-possession counts, one of drug paraphernalia possession, and charges of hindering apprehension and endangering the welfare of a child, according to township police.

Members of the Manchester Narcotics Enforcement Team initiated the road stop of the 2001 BMW at about 5:30 PM on January 25 on Route 571 near Ridgeway Boulevard.

They determined that Worthy and her passenger, Shayla Solis, of Manahawkin, had suspended driver's licenses, and that neither could assume responsibility for driving it.

Authorities claim that Worthy placed a purse under her seat, and that the purse contained items related to heroin use. A search of the car unearthed drug-related items and a hypodermic needle, police said.

Police drove Worthy and Solis headquarters, along with the toddler in the child safety seat. When they removed the youngster at the police station, officers recovered heroin, crack and more drug gear, authorities said.

The child was given to the custody of New Jersey's Division of Child Protection and Permanency.

Worthy was transported to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River,with bail set at $50,000. Solis was released on a complaint summons for possession of a hypodermic needle.