Altoona police: Man overdoses while caring for people with autism

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — A Gallitzin man is facing charges after police said he overdosed on drugs while he was taking care of two people with autism.

Scott Hollen II, 36, was found unresponsive at a home along California Avenue on April 5 at 9:46 a.m. where Altoona police said he had drugs and drug paraphernalia. When officers first arrived at the scene, Hollen was already being treated by AMED.

Police noted in court documents that Hollen was found to have a needle in his front pants pocket along with an empty purple baggie and a yellow baggie with a “brown powder substance.” Officers said that a glass pipe was also found on Hollen along with a pill capsule.

During an investigation, police learned that Hollen was at the home taking care of two non-verbal patients with autism. According to the criminal complaint, Hollen was supposed to take them to an adult day program but never made it at the scheduled time. A welfare check was then made at the home where Hollen was allegedly found to have overdosed.

Hollen was taken to UPMC Altoona where police said an EMT found a baggie with a large amount of suspected meth inside his sock after they removed his shoe. The baggie was weighed at 19 grams and tested positive for meth, according to the complaint.

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Hollen was arraigned on Monday and charged with felony possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, two misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person, two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a care-dependent person and two other related charges.

Court documents show he’s in the Blair County Prison where he’s being held on $30,000 bail.

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