Four Florida adults were arrested last week after a 1-year-old child allegedly drank from a sippy cup containing a bag of methamphetamine at the bottom in Nassau County. Deputies were notified by child welfare officials following the incident involving the infant.
Background
The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office received notification from the state Department of Children and Families on February 24 regarding the incident involving the toddler.
Child welfare agency records indicate the baby had ingested meth the previous day while living at the residence.
Adults in the home decided to monitor the child overnight rather than contact authorities immediately after the ingestion.
Deputies stated the child began vomiting later that night after ingesting the substance, prompting an adult to take the baby to a nearby fire station.
The child was later admitted to a hospital for treatment of a possible overdose rather than contacting law enforcement immediately.
Sheriff Bill Leeper called the situation heartbreaking and completely preventable, stating that the adults in the home failed to provide even the most basic level of care and protection.
He emphasized there is absolutely no excuse for methamphetamine to be within reach of a child during his public statement.
Deputies executing a search warrant found various drug paraphernalia, including pipes and containers with meth residue.
The Charges
All four adults face child neglect charges following the investigation into the hazardous conditions within the home.
Erica Foley faces an additional charge of possession of drug paraphernalia based on evidence found during the search.
Records do not indicate which of the four people were the baby’s parents, though Simmons and Windham are suspected.
Key Takeaways
- Hayden Simmons and Damien Windham, both 21, are suspected parents of the child.
- Erica Foley, 45, and Judith Addison, 79, were also permanent residents of the home.
- Only Foley remains behind bars with a bond set at $12,504 according to jail records.
What's Next
Court dates are pending as investigators determine the status of the child and custody arrangements with the state.
Prosecutors will review the evidence to determine if additional charges are filed against the remaining suspects.