Four adults in Florida are facing child neglect charges after authorities say a 1-year-old child drank from a sippy cup that contained methamphetamine at the bottom.
The alarming incident unfolded in Nassau County and came to light after the Florida Department of Children and Families alerted the sheriff’s office on Feb. 24. According to officials, the child had ingested meth the day before.
Investigators say the toddler drank from the cup without the adults in the home realizing there was a bag of methamphetamine inside. Rather than immediately seeking emergency help, deputies say the caregivers chose to monitor the child overnight.
Later that evening, the baby began vomiting. At that point, the child’s mother brought the toddler to a nearby fire station for help. The child was then transported to a hospital and admitted for treatment related to a possible drug overdose.
Four Adults Arrested
Authorities arrested four people described as permanent residents of the home: 21-year-olds Hayden Simmons and Damien Windham, along with 45-year-old Erica Foley and 79-year-old Judith Addison. The sheriff’s office did not publicly specify which of the four are the child’s parents, though officials indicated the parents were among those arrested.
All four face charges of child neglect. Foley also faces an additional charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
When deputies executed a search warrant at the home, they reported finding drug-related items, including pipes and containers with meth residue.
Sheriff Bill Leeper called the situation “heartbreaking and completely preventable,” emphasizing that there is no justification for illegal drugs being accessible to a young child.
“A one-year-old was exposed to a dangerous drug because the adults failed to provide even the most basic level of protection,” Leeper said in a statement.
Child’s Condition Unclear
As of the latest available records, only Foley remains in custody, held on a bond of $12,504. The other three adults have reportedly bonded out of jail.
Officials have not released updated information about the toddler’s condition or whether the child has been returned to any of the adults following their release.
The case has sparked outrage in the community, with many questioning how such a hazardous substance could end up inside a child’s drinking cup.
Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing.
For now, the focus remains on the child’s recovery — and on determining how a routine moment like grabbing a sippy cup turned into a medical emergency with potentially life-threatening consequences.
