Girl, 5, calls cops when ‘daddy' ODs on heroin

Police were able to shake Feranti awake. On a desk nearby they found two syringes, a bent spoon, a cotton ball, numerous torn plastic baggies and blue waxed paper, all of which are items used to inject heroin, Chitwood said.

Feranti was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, recklessly endangering another person and drug offenses.

The girl was placed in the custody of her grandmother, and Delaware County Children and Youth Services was notified on the incident, Chitwood said.

"The sad thing is it just goes to show you the scourge of heroin abuse. They don't care," he said. "What the hell happens if she gets a hold of the needle or swallows something?"

Chitwood said last night's incident is emblematic of a much bigger problem in Upper Darby.

Between Jan. 1, 2011 and May 3 of this year, there have been 14 heroin overdose deaths in Upper Darby and 66 heroin overdose cases in which victims survived.

"The heroin problem is epidemic out here and it leads to other crimes," Chitwood said. "When we catch burglars and debrief, them it's heroin addicts who are doing the reaping and pillaging."

Contact Stephanie Farr at 215-854-4225 or farrs@phillynews.com, or follow on Twitter @FarFarrAway. Read her blog, "Daily Delco" at philly.com/dailydelco.