BLUEFIELD, WV (LOOTPRESS) — Two people were arrested Saturday, August 2, 2025, after police responded to an overdose call that left a small child in unsafe conditions.
According to the Bluefield Police Department, officers were dispatched around 3:56 a.m. to a residence on Dearborn Avenue after a 911 caller reported an unresponsive woman with blue lips. The woman, later identified as Adena Howerton, had reportedly taken an unknown substance.
By the time officers arrived, Howerton was awake but visibly in distress, shaking while sitting on an inflatable mattress with a three-year-old girl clinging to her. The caller, who initially identified himself as “Hunter Giberson” but was later confirmed to be Christopher Giberson, told police he found Howerton unresponsive with vomit after the child cried out that “Grandma is sick.”
Giberson said he gave Howerton two doses of Narcan before she regained consciousness. Police noted he showed signs of recent drug use and later admitted to using methamphetamine earlier that night. He also revealed he had been caring for the child since the previous Sunday.
EMS crews determined Howerton had taken methamphetamine that she suspected was laced with fentanyl. She surrendered two used hypodermic needles from her clothing — the same ones she said caused her overdose — which had been present in bed with the child.
Police also encountered a man at the scene who falsely identified himself as Jason Lovell. After further checks, officers confirmed he was Jason Averill, who had outstanding warrants in Bluefield. Averill was taken into custody.
Child Protective Services responded and removed the child from the home, placing her into the care of her mother.
Giberson was later found to have active warrants and admitted to giving a false name. Howerton was taken to the hospital for kidney issues and later booked.
The arrests and child removal are part of an ongoing investigation.
