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Grandmother in viral heroin photo sentenced to 180 days in jail

Posted at 11:33 AM, Sep 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-15 11:53:24-04

The grandmother, who was captured in a viral photo posted by local law enforcement showing her overdosing on heroin as she sat in the passenger seat of a vehicle with her grandson sitting in the backseat, was sentenced Thursday.

Rhonda Pasek was sentenced to 180 days in jail and fined $280 for child endangerment, according to East Liverpool (Ohio) Municipal Court records. Pasek, 50, initially pleaded not guilty to the child endangerment charge and disorderly conduct. She changed her plea to no contest during Thursday's court hearing, court records show.

Pasek is also responsible for other court costs. 

Pasek's 4-year-old grandson went to live with his great uncle and great aunt in South Carolina. The boy was in Pasek's care after it was proved his parents couldn't care for him. 

RELATED: Boy in viral 'heroin' photos heading to new home

A photo of James Acord and Pasek overdosing on heroin went viral after it was posted to the City of East Liverpool Facebook page last week.

An officer approached the car on Sept. 7 on St. Clair Avenue about 3 p.m. after noticing Acord was driving erratically. Pasek was passed out in the passenger's seat.Accord, 47, passed out while he was talking to the officer. 

RELATEDEast Liverpool police share graphic photos of adults who overdosed with 4-year-old in car

They both received rounds of Narcan by paramedics and were taken to a local hospital for treatment. They were later arrested. 

Acord pleaded no contest last week to operating a vehicle impaired and endangering children charges. he was sentenced to 360 days in jail.