Drug Charges Dropped Against Bon Jovi's Daughter

D.A. in NY says that state law prevents pursuing prosecution for someone who overdosed and only had a small amount of heroin

A central New York prosecutor says drug charges against New Jersey rock legend Jon Bon Jovi's 19-year-old daughter have been dropped.

Stephanie Bongiovi was found unresponsive by medics after she apparently overdosed on heroin in a Hamilton College dorm early Wednesday.

Town of Kirkland police charged Bongiovi, of Red Bank, N.J., and another student with possession of a small amount of heroin and marijuana.

Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara said Thursday he was dismissing the charges against both students. Under state law, someone having a drug overdose or seeking help for an overdose victim can't be prosecuted for having a small amount of heroin (less than 8 ounces) or any amount of marijuana.

The so-called Good Samaritan 911 law signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in July 2011 was designed to reduce overdose deaths by encouraging people to call 911 without fear of being arrested for drug possession. Similar laws have been passed in several other states.

Charges were also dropped against another Red Bank native, Ian Grant, who was also arrested and charged with misdemeanor drug possession Wednesday. Grant, 21, had made the 911 call to report Bongiovi's overdose, according to prosecutors.

Bon Jovi, 50, is scheduled to perform at a concert to benefit Hamilton's scholarships and arts programs in Times Square on Dec. 5. He has not commented on his daughter's overdose.

He has four children, Stephanie and three sons.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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