US boy in car with overdosed grandmother gets a new home

A US child photographed in a car while his grandmother and her friend lay passed out on heroin in the front seat has been given a new home.

Custody of the four-year-old, who was in the care of his grandmother Rhonda Pasek, 50, was granted to his great-aunt and great-uncle in South Carolina, NBC reports.

Last week when police approached the vehicle they found 47-year-old James Lee Acord and Pasek passed out in the front seats while the toddler sat alone and confused.

Acord claimed he was trying to drive the grandmother to the hospital but lost consciousness on the way.

Pasek pleaded not guilty to child endangerment changes after gaining custody of the boy only six weeks prior. Acord pleaded no contest.

Local police in East Liverpool, Ohio and the city decided to post the photo of the couple to highlight dangers of drug abuse.

Pasek's sister, who wished to remain anonymous criticised police for "humiliating" the 50-year-old.

"The city of East Liverpool humiliated my family and humiliated that little boy," she told NBC.

"They could have blurred his face and they didn't. And now they're taking him away from my sister. “I'm not condoning what Rhonda done, but what they did to her and what they're doing to her grandson is too much."

The city's director of public services and safety, Brian Allen made no apologies for posting the image.