Four adults have been arrested in Nassau County after a 1-year-old child ingested methamphetamine from a sippy cup inside a Callahan home, authorities said.
The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that Hayden Simmons, 21; Damien Windham, 21; Erica Foley, 45; and Judith Addison, 79, were each charged with child neglect causing great bodily harm. All four are described as permanent residents of the home and were booked into the Nassau County Jail & Detention Center.
According to investigators, the Florida Department of Children and Families alerted detectives Tuesday that the toddler had ingested methamphetamine the day before.
During the investigation, authorities learned the child drank from a sippy cup that contained a bag at the bottom. A resident later confirmed the bag contained meth, deputies said.
Despite realizing the child may have been exposed to the drug, officials stated that no one in the home immediately called 911. Instead, the adults reportedly monitored the child overnight. When the toddler began vomiting, the mother took the child to a nearby fire station. The child was later admitted to a local hospital for treatment of a possible overdose.
“This is a heartbreaking and completely preventable situation,” said Bill Leeper in a statement. “There is absolutely no excuse for methamphetamine to be within reach of a child.”
Detectives executed a search warrant at the residence and reported finding drug paraphernalia, including glass pipes and containers with methamphetamine residue.
Authorities said bond was set at more than $25,000 for Simmons and Windham, more than $10,000 for Foley, and more than $5,000 for Addison on the child neglect charges. Foley also faces an additional charge of possession of drug paraphernalia, with an added bond of more than $2,500.
