A one-year-old child in Nassau County, Florida, was hospitalized for a possible overdose after drinking from a sippy cup containing methamphetamine. Authorities arrested four residents of the home, charging them with child neglect resulting in great bodily harm. The adults delayed seeking medical help for several hours.
In Nassau County, Florida, a distressing incident unfolded when a one-year-old toddler ingested methamphetamine from a sippy cup in a shared home. The child's exposure came to light on February 24, when the Florida Department of Children and Families alerted detectives that the ingestion had occurred the previous day.
Investigators determined that the toddler drank from a cup that contained a bag of the drug at the bottom. Despite this discovery, the parents and other residents chose not to call emergency services immediately. Instead, they monitored the child overnight. Later that evening, as the toddler began vomiting, the mother transported the child to a nearby fire station for assistance. The one-year-old was then admitted to a local hospital and treated for a possible overdose.
On February 28, authorities announced the arrests of four permanent residents of the home: Hayden Simmons, 21; Damien Windham, 21; Erica Catherine Foley, 45; and Judith Addison, 79. Each faces one count of child neglect resulting in great bodily harm. During a search of the residence, deputies found drug paraphernalia, including glass pipes and containers with methamphetamine residue. As a result, Foley received an additional charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
The suspects were booked into the Nassau County Jail & Detention Center. Bonds were set at just over $25,000 for Simmons and Windham, approximately $12,000 for Foley's two charges, and $5,002 for Addison. A court order from Fourth Judicial Circuit Judge Steven M. Fahlgren prohibits the defendants from contacting the toddler. No immediate court appearance dates were specified.
Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper described the situation in a statement: "This is a heartbreaking and completely preventable situation. A one-year-old child was exposed to a dangerous, illegal drug because the adults in that home failed to provide even the most basic level of care and protection. There is absolutely no excuse for methamphetamine to be within reach of a child."
