Brookline couple faces charges after 6-week-old tests positive for cocaine

A Brookline couple faces charges after doctors discovered cocaine in the system of their 6-week-old infant, according to charges filed by Pittsburgh police Thursday.

Matthew Bell and Lindsey Satterfield both face charges related to drug possession, assault and child endangerment.

According to the criminal complaint, Satterfield took her infant son to a scheduled medical appointment Wednesday, where the doctor noted the infant was “severely malnourished” and had him transferred to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

In the emergency room, doctors discovered the infant had cocaine in his system, according to the criminal complaint. Staff told police the exposure to cocaine would have been recent.

While the infant was admitted to the hospital, Pittsburgh police served a search warrant at the child’s Woodbourne Street home, according to the complaint. Officers forced their way inside when no one answered the door, and they found both Satterfield and Bell.

Police also found drug paraphernalia, loose pills, syringes and suspected heroin in the home, according to the complaint. In an interview with police, Bell said he and Satterfield both use crack cocaine, with the last time being late in the previous week, investigators said.

According to the complaint, Bell also told officers he and Satterfield both had physical contact with the infant after touching the crack cocaine, and he said he assumed that was how the child ended up with cocaine in his system.

Police said Satterfield, 38, declined to speak with detectives.

Satterfield and Bell face drug violations and charges of child endangerment and aggravated assault, and both were released on nonmonetary bail. Court records did not list an attorney for either individual as of Friday afternoon. Preliminary hearings are scheduled for July 29.