Man hides drugs in child’s car seat

A Lansford man who police say stashed packets of heroin under his toddler’s car seat while the child was in it faces numerous charges.

Anthony Rivituso, 28, of West Front Street, is charged with possession of contraband in a prison, endangering the welfare of children, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, theft, receiving stolen property, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Rivituso also faces charges of forgery, access device fraud, and theft stemming from an incident on Nov. 17.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Jan. 3 before District Judge Casimir T. Kosciolek.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, Sgt. Shawn M. Nunemacher on Nov. 21 received a call from Rivituso’s mother, saying he and his girlfriend had taken her car.

She told police her son has a drug problem and she doesn’t let him use the car.

The car was spotted, and when Rivituso was taken into custody, police found his 18-month-old child in the back seat.

There was also a white waxed paper bag containing heroin on the floor near the child, and three more were found under the child’s car seat.

Rivituso was given his Miranda rights, and admitted using the drug the day before, but denied the bags were his. He also admitted to taking his mother’s car without permission.

When he was searched by prison staff upon admittance to Carbon County Correctional Facility, another bag was found on him. Rivituso admitted the bag contained fentanyl.

Rivituso also admitted to stealing his mother’s and sister’s credit and debit cards and using them to buy electronic games, which he exchanged for drugs.