DA: Student left girlfriend dying of heroin overdose

A grand jury in Mineola, New York, has indicted a Hofstra student on manslaughter charges after his girlfriend overdosed on heroin and died.

Prosecutors say 19-year-old Joseph Joudah injected himself and his girlfriend, 19-year-old Olivia McClellan, with heroin on April 18. The prosecuting attorney says when McClellan overdosed, Joudah took off.

"Seventeen hours later ... this defendant first notified someone," acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said.

SEE MORE: Mother feeds heroin off her finger to 3-week-old baby boy

This is the first time in Nassau County history someone has been charged with manslaughter in a heroin-related death.

Joudah's attorney claims McClellan's death was a consensual accident and that his client shouldn't face manslaughter charges.

Joudah's indictment comes as Nassau County authorities figure out how to curb heroin overdoses. The prosecuting attorney said in a statement New York residents should get familiar with the "Good Samaritan" law, which protects people who call 911 to help someone who has overdosed.

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