Firefighters take action to rescue baby with drunk nanny

SALEM, Mass. -- Authorities say firefighters had to use a pry bar and ax to enter a Massachusetts apartment to rescue a baby whose nanny was so drunk she couldn't figure out how to open the door.

The nanny, 52-year-old Susan Conway-Lally, pleaded not guilty Thursday to child endangerment and was released on personal recognizance.

Firefighters were called after the child's mother arrived at her Salem home Wednesday to find her 4-month-old daughter inside crying and Conway-Lally unable to open the door.

Police say Conway-Lally smelled of alcohol, needed help standing and had a blood-alcohol content of .32, four times the legal limit to drive. A near-empty 750-milliliter bottle of vodka was in her bag.

Conway-Lally tells The Salem News she has struggled with alcohol her whole adult life and is sorry.