Texas toddler shows ‘Droopy Eyes’ after aunt’s Marijuana vape incident, Police report
Texas woman charged with child endangerment after her 1-year-old nephew exposed to marijuana vape pen.
A Texas woman has been arrested and charged with child endangerment because her 1-year-old nephew was discovered exposed to marijuana while in her care. Reports say that the child had a THC vape pen in his hand that belongs to the woman, who admitted to leaving it in reachable distance for the toddler.
Authorities say they to a medical emergency call that stated the toddler was discovered struggling to breathe and showing signs of narcotics exposure. The woman is now facing serious charges of child endangerment and possession of a controlled substance.
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Infant suffers effects of marijuana vape pen in Texas
A woman in Texas is facing child endangerment charges because her 1-year-old nephew may have been exposed to marijuana while in her care.
According to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office said deputies were called to a home in eastern El Paso on May 16 for a "medical emergency involving a 1-year-old child showing signs of narcotics exposure."
An arrest affidavit provided to the El Paso Times and CBS 4 states the toddler was having difficulty breathing after reportedly inhaling from a THC vape pen that belonged to 22-year-old Vianney Alyssa Acosta.
When authorities got there, El Paso Fire Department medics were looking at the child, who was crying aggressively, and showing "droopy eyes" and lethargy, according to the affidavit.
Authorities revealed Acosta was watching the child with his father and grandmother while they were working. The grandmother told police that around 2:45 p.m., they were eating in the kitchen when Acosta heard the toddler cough from the bedroom, and he went to check on him.
The affidavit reveals that the child was found holding a vape pen, which the grandmother confirmed belonged to Acosta.
Texas toddler was sent to hospital after marijuana vape incident
The child’s father reported that when deputies arrived, he was outside working on a car and said he didn’t even know about the incident until told by the grandmother that the toddler “hit a vape pen.”
Acosta told deputies that she kept her THC vape pen in her room, where she thought the child wouldn’t have access to it. The deputies noted that the pen was childish enough and on the bedside table approximately two feet high, partially covered by other items, but indeed accessible. Acosta also told the deputies that the toddler could climb on the bed and pull down things.
Although Acosta did not see the child use the vape pen, Acosta suspected he inhaled from it because he was red, coughing, and there was smoke in the air. Acosta also stated that she thought the pen was empty and not charged.
The father of the child and deputies took the toddler to a hospital, where a urine test subsequently confirmed THC exposure. Child Protective Services also opened a case.
Acosta was arrested May 21 on charges of child endangerment and possession of a controlled substance. She was booked into El Paso County Jail on a $6,000 bond, and released the same day after posting bail.
In Texas, child endangerment can be punished up to two years in prison, and a $10,000 fine. Possession of a controlled substance under one gram has the same consequences.
