NY - Ruby Auster, 10mths death by fentanyl & heroin OD father arrested 1 Nov 2021 *poi died*

[tlcya]

PARK SLOPE, Brooklyn (WABC) -- The son of famed novelist Paul Auster has been charged in the drug death of his infant daughter in Brooklyn.

Police say 10-month-old Ruby Auster was found unresponsive in her Park Slope home on November 1.
Son of famed novelist Paul Auster charged in drug death of infant daughter in Brooklyn

"The incident has been deemed a homicide," the police said, adding that Daniel Auster, 44, had been charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.

[snip]

Daniel Auster had a previous tangle with law enforcement in 1996 when Andre "Angel" Melendez, an alleged drug dealer, was murdered — though the younger Auster was not implicated in that crime.
Daniel Auster, son of famed author Paul Auster, charged in overdose death of his 10-month-old daughter

An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner found Ruby died of acute intoxication caused by the combined effects of fentanyl and heroin.

The case was later ruled a homicide after police conferred with the Kings County District Attorney’s office.

Police have so far been unable to say how the little girl was exposed to drugs while in the care of her 44-year-old father, but Auster was charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide on Friday night.

He it currently awaiting arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court.
Daniel Auster faces manslaughter and homicide charges four months after his infant daughter death | Daily Mail Online

 

[Lusitana]

This is so sad. It's pretty obvious someone had to be held responsible for a 10-month-old child overdosing on fentanyl AND heroin. Did he give the child the drugs or did she get into it? Poor little thing.

I like Paul Auster. Has he said anything? Did the father have custody of Ruby?

 

[tlcya]

Paul and son Daniel have been estranged for some years. They do not speak. Daniel has long been a troubled young man, dating back to his presence when Andre "Angel" Melendez was murdered. I recall that infamous case. It appears Ruby's mother was also a member of the household. per this snip
-------------------------------
Ruby’s mother, Zuzan Smith, Mr. Auster’s wife, told the police that the baby was awake and seemed fine before she left for work that morning, according to the complaint.

Mr. Auster told the police that he injected himself with heroin after his wife left for work, then lay down for a nap with Ruby next to him in bed, the document said. When he woke up, the girl was “blue, lifeless and unresponsive.”
Son of Author Paul Auster Charged in Fatal Overdose of Baby Daughter

 

[borndem]

What an awful thing to happen. Another little wonder leaves the earth and those who love her.
Could the baby have been lying close enuff to Auster -- on a bed, couch, or held in his arms -- to inhale Auster's breath and died from that? Is that possible? No excuses here, but just wondering. It sounds like the baby girl somehow had a high amount of the drug(s) her father had done that day -- a little 10 m/old wouldn't need much, IMO. Tragic.
This is just awful. This guy is in a lot of trouble.

 

[Lusitana]

I saw a lot of pictures of baby Ruby with both parents. Both seemed like good, present, involved parents. Addiction is sad and this is such a tragedy.

 

[Filly]

What an awful thing to happen. Another little wonder leaves the earth and those who love her.
Could the baby have been lying close enuff to Auster -- on a bed, couch, or held in his arms -- to inhale Auster's breath and died from that? Is that possible? No excuses here, but just wondering. It sounds like the baby girl somehow had a high amount of the drug(s) her father had done that day -- a little 10 m/old wouldn't need much, IMO. Tragic.
This is just awful. This guy is in a lot of trouble.

He's definitely in trouble. He was arrested on Friday, and was to be arraigned in night court, but was transported to the hospital for treatment. The NY post has photos. They can't say what for, but one look at him I have a good guess. His lawyer wanted bond so he can detox. No go.

According to The Daily Mail this gorgeous baby, Ruby had enough heroin and fentanyl in her to knock out an adult male.

He did give her Narcan in his words in case he "F up". Yeahhhh, ya did. He admitted he kept his drugs in the bathroom.

So either the ten month old Ruby got into the bathroom and opened glassine bags. Mr. Auster was so high after his shot he left his stash right there. Hate to even think this, and I actually don't, but he gave her some somehow so she would sleep.

My surprise is there was heroin present in the little doll's tox screen. It's all fentanyl now in all big cities. People with tolerance who OD have to get hit with Narcan three times at least so this baby didn't stand a chance.

This is so heartbreaking because it's preventable. There is no doubt Ruby was immensely loved. Addiction is awful. However there's no way you can be present for yourself let alone a baby high on fentanyl.

Now I remember this guy from the Kid's Club murders. He took some of the money to keep his mouth shut, and got charged for stolen property I think.

Little Ruby. So d**n sad.

 

[sds71]

Novelist Paul Auster's son Daniel dies of overdose while awaiting trial for killing baby daughter | Daily Mail Online

 

[realanastasia]

Novelist Paul Auster's son Daniel dies of overdose while awaiting trial for killing baby daughter | Daily Mail Online

So he was out on bond, then?

How awful for everyone involved.

 

[Lusitana]

So sad. This poor family, I can’t imagine.

Two people, one of them an innocent baby, gone forever.

 

[borndem]

So sad. This poor family, I can’t imagine.

Two people, one of them an innocent baby, gone forever.

I think you said it for many of us here, @Lusitana.

All we can do is sigh and mourn the loss of a beautiful little girl named Ruby. We also realize that the family has lost, in more ways than one, Ruby's dad, Daniel.

 

[Lusitana]

I think you said it for many of us here, @Lusitana.

All we can do is sigh and mourn the loss of a beautiful little girl named Ruby. We also realize that the family has lost, in more ways than one, Ruby's dad, Daniel.

I can only imagine that Daniel's addiction was at a point where this was inevitable. Poor baby Ruby was a victim of her father's addiction too. So sad.