A Louisiana mother is behind bars after her 14-month-old boy was hospitalized for severe alcohol intoxication with a blood alcohol content nearly four times the legal limit, authorities said.
Background
Genesis Harrell, 27, called 911 on May 18 reporting that her young son was "not behaving normally," according to an arrest warrant obtained by WBRZ. The mother told police her normally active child went limp when she tried to pick him up and showed no improvement after waking from a nap.
The incident occurred at an apartment complex on Longridge Avenue in Baton Rouge, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office said. Harrell lived at the residence with her boyfriend, who was inside working from home that day. According to investigators, Harrell was the sole legal guardian of the child.
Medical personnel determined the toddler had ingested a significant amount of alcohol, court documents stated.
The Investigation
The child was transported to Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital where testing revealed a blood alcohol content of approximately 0.305%, according to the arrest warrant obtained by The Advocate. In Louisiana, the legal BAC for driving is 0.08% — meaning the toddler's level was nearly four times that threshold.
Physicians diagnosed the boy with alcohol intoxication and documented a series of complications including acute respiratory failure, hypoxia and hypercapnia — a condition involving excessive carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. Medical professionals told investigators that without intervention, the child would have likely suffered respiratory arrest, brain injury or death.
During questioning, Harrell claimed her son ate breakfast at 11 a.m. before falling asleep around 1 p.m., according to charging documents. She stated there was alcohol in the unit but insisted it was secured and not accessible to the child. When asked how the toddler could have consumed such a dangerous amount of alcohol, Harrell allegedly could not provide an explanation.
Investigators noted that Harrell later declined to speak further with authorities during a follow-up interview, according to court documents.
"Such disregard for the victim's interests and safety": Sheriff's officials wrote in the warrant that Harrell demonstrated "such disregard" that her conduct "constituted a gross deviation below the standard of care expected of a reasonably careful parent."
Key Takeaways
- Genesis Harrell, 27, has been charged with one count of cruelty to juveniles
- The toddler's blood alcohol content measured approximately 0.305%, nearly four times Louisiana's legal driving limit of 0.08%
- The child remains in the pediatric intensive care unit and has been placed in the custody of the Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services
- Harrell is being held at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison without bond
- Police say she could not explain how her son accessed the alcohol despite claiming it was secured
What's Next
Harrell remains detained at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison with no bond set as of this writing. The investigation into how the child obtained the alcohol is ongoing, authorities said.