(Town of Dickinson, NY) – Broome County Sheriff’s Office has released details of pregnant Owego woman who attempted to smuggle drugs into the Broome County Sheriff’s Correctional Facility and then overdosed less than two hours after entering the facility, resulting in the death of her unborn child.
- On Monday, March 20, at 8:25 p.m., Quashaia U. Oranchak, age 36, of Owego, started intake procedures at the Broome jail after arrested by New York State Police on multiple felony charges for criminal possession of a controlled substance, attempting to conceal/ alter/ destroy evidence, and criminal mischief. Less than 30 minutes after screenings and admission, Oranchak started showing signs of a drug overdose. Medical staff, assisted by corrections officers, called for an ambulance and moved Oranchak to the Medical wing where they administered Narcan in an effort to stabilize her before Emergency Medical Services arrived.
Oranchak was transported to UHS Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City. After arriving, a nurse attempted to evaluate the pregnant Oranchak, but was unable to perform the procedure due to a clear plastic baggy containing 0.4 oz/11.3 g of a clear crystal substance that was located in Oranchak’s vagina. The contents tested positive for methamphetamine and fentanyl, the same drugs Oranchak was arrested by State Police for possession with intent to sell. Oranchak herself was found to have high levels of methamphetamine in her system in the hospital.
Toxicology reports from the Broome County Coroner showed both the unborn fetus’s blood and cerebral spinal fluid contained 10,000 ng/ml and 9,500 ng/ml of methamphetamine, respectively. Blood concentrations after a high dose of methamphetamine in an adult range from 200-800 ng/ml. Blood concentrations for a fatal overdose of methamphetamine can range from 500-11,000 ng/ml for an adult. The blood of the unborn fetus contained 20 times the minimum fatal concentration for an adult.
“This was truly a nightmare scenario for all those involved, but it also underscores the truly horrific consequences of choosing to smuggle drugs over the safety of an unborn child,” said Sheriff Fred Akshar. “This tragedy was entirely preventable, and I would argue that had Quashaia Oranchak not chosen to smuggle a large package of methamphetamine and fentanyl into the jail, her baby might be alive today. She had every opportunity to inform Corrections staff of the drugs, but chose to say nothing.”
Following a thorough investigation, the Sheriff’s Office charged Oranchak with:
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree, a Class B Felony
- Promoting Prison Contraband in the 1st Degree, a Class D Felony
Due to recent changes in New York State law, Oranchak cannot be charged with the death of her unborn baby.
Akshar released a full schedule of the events of March 20, based on over a dozen reports from Correctional Staff, Emergency Medical Services workers and Wilson staff:
8:25 PM – Intake
- Quashaia Oranchak begins intake process at Broome County Correctional Facility, receives pat search and strip search by Corrections Officer.
- Oranchak is first asked if she has anything on her body or in her pockets that would potentially cut or stab the officer. She responds clearly and coherently, “No I do not.”
- Oranchak complies with all instructions during the pat search. Oranchak continues to comply with all instructions without hesitation throughout the strip search protocol and says “that is fine I have been here before.” Oranchak displays a polite demeanor.
- During the strip search, Corrections Officer asks Oranchak if she had anything inside her vagina or anus, as now would be the time to remove it. Oranchak states clearly and coherently “I don’t.” Oranchak follows all orders to remove her hair clip and all piercings. No visible items are found during the strip search.
- Body scan is normally performed on all intakes, with the exception of pregnant individuals for safety reasons.
- Booking includes various screenings for substance abuse, mental health, and various medical screenings, during which, Oranchak states she could “feel the baby moving all the time.”
9:38 PM – Leaving Medical Intake
- After internal and medical intake processes conclude, Oranchak leaves the Medical Intake room and walks accompanied by intake nurse back to the desk at intake with urine sample cup.
- Oranchak sits at an intake desk across from officers while an officer attempts to assist her in making a phone call.
9:41 PM – Entering Holding Cell
- Oranchak walks from Male Intake area to Female Intake area and enters holding cell directly across from seated officer. Oranchak appears normal and opens cell door on her own.
10:01- 10:09 PM – In Holding Cell
- Officers await Oranchak to fill urine specimen cup before proceeding to her housing assignment.
- Officers are made aware that Oranchak is using the toilet and attempt to give her privacy.
10:10 – Condition Deterioriates
- Officers observe that Oranchak appears to be experiencing tremors and is in distress.
- Officers ask several times if she had taken anything. Each time Oranchak denies taking anything, saying she is having a panic attack.
10:12 PM – Call for Medical Assistance
- Officer calls for assistance from Medical and decide to transport her from Intake to Medical Unit 1 for evaluation immediately.
10:13 PM – Transport to Medical Unit 1
- Officers begin transporting Oranchak to the Medical Unit 1 by wheelchair and are met nurses on the way. Oranchak appears to be having a seizure and the nurse recommends she go to the hospital.
- Oranchak states she is not having a seizure and again states she is having a panic attack.
- The nurse then directs officers to take Oranchak to Medical 1 for further assessments.
- During the assessment it is determined Oranchak needs an ambulance.
10:25 – EMS Contacted, 7 Narcan Doses Administered
- While EMS is contacted, Oranchak appears to have difficulty breathing. Code White (medical emergency) Level 2 was called.
- Nearby Corrections Officers, including field training officers respond to Medical 1. Officers place Oranchak in the recovery position (laying on her side) while two nurses treat her.
- Officers assist nurses by in informing medical staff of oxygen levels and heart rate displayed on the pulse oximeter and prepping AED for use if necessary at nurses’ request.
- Medical staff determines that Narcan must be administered. Corrections Officers fetch additional doses of Narcan, providing nurses with new kids and removing old kids.
- A total of 7 doses are administered in an effort to stabilize Oranchak.
- Officers field training at the time and were among responding personnel. After Narcan had been administered, training officers were removed from the unit.
- Corrections Officers exit cell when EMS arrived.
10:38 PM – EMS Arrives
- When EMS arrived, they found the patient not alert and disoriented, having intermittent convulsions, complaining of seizure activity with possible overdose on an unknown substance. Oranchak appears confused and unable to answer questions appropriately.
- EMS loads Oranchak into ambulance with assistance from Corrections Officers.
10:55 pm – Transport to UHS Wilson.
- Corrections Officer accompanies Oranchak in ambulance to Wilson Hospital.
11:10pm – Arrival at UHS Wilson Medical Center.
- Oranchak is arrives at UHS Wilson Medical Center is intubated for airway protection and provided IVs and medication.
12:20am – Smuggled Drugs Found
- UHS Wilson nurse conducts a medical evaluation on Oranchak. The nurse unable to perform the procedure due to an obstruction. At 12:25am, the nurse exits the room holding a tray containing a clear plastic baggy with a clear crystal-like substance that was located in Oranchak’s vagina.
- The package is placed in a biohazard bag and reported into evidence by a Corrections Officer.
- The substance is field tested positive for fentanyl and methamphetamine, weighing about 0.4oz/11.3g
3/21/23 – Emergency C section is completed to remove a deceased baby.
- Oranchak tests positive for methamphetamine.
“This was truly a nightmare scenario for all those involved, but it also underscores the truly horrific consequences of choosing to smuggle drugs over the safety of an unborn child,” said Sheriff Fred Akshar. “This tragedy was entirely preventable, and I would argue that had Quashaia Oranchak not chosen to smuggle on her person a large package of methamphetamine and fentanyl into the Correctional Facility, her baby might be alive today. She had every opportunity to inform Corrections staff of the drugs secreted in her body, but chose not to. I applaud our Corrections Officers, Medical Staff and the staff at UHS Wilson Medical Center for doing everything they could to preserve life.”
