Police have discovered two children surrounded by more than 100 needles during a house call in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Authorities were called due to a child in need of medical attention on February 10, according to the Manchester Police Department.
Raymond Punturieri, 33, was discovered at the home with the children. He was subsequently arrested on charges including two counts of reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, simple assault, criminal threatening, and resisting arrest, according to press release issued by the Manchester Police Department.
Following the arrest, the police department shared the press release on its Facebook page along with a picture of Punturieri.
“On February 10, 2022, at approximately 5:10 a.m. Manchester Police were dispatched to 141 West Street for a report of a child needing medical attention,” it said in the statement.
Authorities have said it was Punturieri who called the police to his home on West Street on Thursday morning. When they arrived, he did not answer the door but police could hear a child inside.
Due to the safety concerns regarding the children, police were forced to breach the home. When they did they found Punturieri sitting on a bed with two children surrounded by more than 100 needles.
“Raymond Punturier of Manchester […] was talking incoherently and was unable to give police any information,” it said in the statement.
“In the bedroom where the children were found, officers saw more than 100 needles, many of which were uncapped.
“The needles were scattered on the nightstand and floor, and a few were even on the bed where the children were laying.”
Police confirmed that they found other drug paraphernalia in the room. They removed the children from the home and took them to a hospital. The statement did not indicate what condition the children were in and what medical attention they required.
Police said that there had been a domestic incident involving a woman earlier in the night but did not give further details. Punturieri also had an outstanding warrant from another agency. He is currently being held without bail.
Police have said this is an ongoing investigation and did not explain the relationship between Punturieri and the children.
The statement closed by asking anyone who has information regarding the incident to call the Manchester Police Department on 603-668-8711. Additionally, members of the public can provide anonymous tips at 60-624-4040.
Newsweek has contacted the Manchester Police Department for comment.
Manchester NH Police