SW Ohio couple charged in fatal heroin overdose

CINCINNATI (AP) — A southwest Ohio prosecutor says a suburban Cincinnati couple have been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the heroin overdose death of a 21-year-old woman.

The man and woman are also charged with heroin trafficking and possession. Prosecutor Joe Deters says it’s the first time Hamilton County has prosecuted alleged dealers on involuntary manslaughter charges.

Stephanie and Christopher Eaglin of Delhi Township are scheduled for a court appearance Sept. 19.

Deters says if convicted of all charges, the defendants each could face 12 years in prison.

Ohio is among the states that have seen a surge in drug-overdose deaths in recent years. Deters says laws should be toughened so dealers could be charged with murder in fatal overdoses.