Man Gave Sister, 14, Heroin so She Wouldn't Overdose: Police

A southeastern Pennsylvania man was arrested after he allegedly gave heroin to his teenage sister so that she could learn the horrors of the drug.

Back on Jan. 27, police were called to Simon Youth Foundation Rose Tree Media Academy high school in Media, Delaware County. When they arrived, they found a 14-year-old girl who they say was high on heroin.

The incident sparked an investigation which led police to the girl’s brother, Matthew Robbins. Robbins, 32, allegedly confessed to police that he had provided heroin for his sister at least four times over the past two months.

"...He wanted to be able to control how much heroin she had so that she would not overdose," read a police affidavit. " Because he was an addict, he wanted her to try it so that she knew how bad it was and that she would hopefully stay away from it."

Last week, police arrested Robbins and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, corruption of minors and recklessly endangering another person, according to court records.

Online court records don't list an attorney for Robbins who remained in Delaware County Prison unable to post 10 percent of $20,000 bail.

He faces a preliminary hearing next week.

The Robbins siblings' mother Eve Robbins said she had no knowledge of her daughter's heroin use.

"I want everyone here to understand, I don't care where you are, this drug is available to everyone and these kids, you have no idea what they're doing," said Eve Robbins.

Robbins said her son began using heroin to cope with a car crash and the death of a close friend.

She says she loves her children "unconditionally" but makes no excuses for them.

Contact Us