A mother was arrested this week after testing determined her 2-year-old daughter had been exposed to methamphetamine or other stimulants, as well as opiates.
According to a press release from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) in Florida 29-year-old Debra Scott walked into an emergency room in Marion County, Fla., with the child last Friday. She told medical staff that the baby was “acting crazy,” including swinging her arms erratically and not sleeping all night.
“An immediate medical examination determined the child was exhibiting symptoms commonly seen in adults who are ‘tweaking,’” said the sheriff’s office. “Lab reports confirmed the child was suffering from an acute intoxication due to an exposure to methamphetamines or other stimulant. Additional testing was performed and the child also tested positive for exposure to opiates.”
Local law enforcement soon responded, since medical staff contacted them immediately. They determined that the child was actually from Levy County, where she lives with her mother, and contacted the LCSO to continue an investigation.
That investigation revealed that Scott had only recently moved to Bronson, Fla., “with her paramour and her child,” and that they lived in “a home known for prior narcotic activity,” with roommates. Scott also admitted to detectives that she had recently used methamphetamines.
Levy County authorities said that Scott waited for 12 hours after the 2-year-old started exhibiting symptoms to bring the child to the emergency room. Instead of calling 911, they said that she contacted a friend for a ride to a hospital a considerable distance from her home. Marion County is around a 45-minute drive from Bronson.
“She knowingly put her child at risk and failed to protect the child from dangerous drugs while using dangerous drugs herself,” said the LCSO. Earlier this month, Audacy reported on research that found more than 3,000 children in the U.S. were poisoned with the powerful opioid fentanyl and survived from 2015 through 2023. Exposure to illicit drugs can also result in death.
A warrant for Scott’s arrest was issued this Monday and she was located in Gilchrist County, Fla., Tuesday and she was taken into custody with assistance from the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office. After Scott was booked into Gilchrist County Jail she was transferred to Levy County.