Tara Hollingshead sentenced on drug charge after newborn tests positive for fentanyl

ZANESVILLE — Accused of using drugs while pregnant, a Zanesville woman was sentenced to prison Wednesday.

Hollingshead, 29, will serve a mandatory sentence of eight to 12 years. On  May 2, a Muskingum County jury convicted her on a first-degree felony count of corrupting another with drugs.

Her baby tested positive for fentanyl after she gave birth.

During court Wednesday, Hollingshead said she took full responsibility for her actions and apologized to the court, her family and her children.

"I got caught in addiction, and that vicious cycle just took me over," she said.

Her defense attorney Chris Brigdon noted she has made strides to get sober, having completed 90 days of rehab treatment.

Muskingum County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Gerald Anderson said Hollingshead used drugs in the third trimester of her pregnancy.

He acknowledged they are not there due to the harm of the child: "We are here because the defendant knew she was pregnant and didn't stop taking illegal narcotics."

The defense argued during the trial that the law used to prosecute Hollingshead's case did not apply to her. Ohio Revised Code states someone cannot administer a pregnant person with a controlled substance. It does not say someone cannot administer drugs to themselves.

The defense filed a motion to dismiss ahead of the trial, but it was denied.

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