Four individuals, namely Hayden Simmons, Damien Windham, Erica Foley, and Judith Addison, are facing charges of child neglect resulting in significant bodily harm.
NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. — The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office reported that a 1-year-old child ingested methamphetamine from a sippy cup at a residence in Callahan, leading to the arrest of four adults on charges of child neglect causing great bodily harm.
Arrested and held at the Nassau County Jail & Detention Center are Hayden Simmons, 21, Damien Windham, 21, Erica Foley, 45, and Judith Addison, 79, who are described as permanent residents of the household.
On Tuesday, detectives were alerted by the Florida Department of Children and Families that the toddler had consumed methamphetamine the previous day, prompting an investigation.
Investigators discovered that the child drank from a sippy cup, revealing a bag at the bottom later identified by a resident as containing meth, according to the sheriff’s office.
Despite the child’s exposure to the substance, the sheriff’s office stated that neither the parents nor other residents contacted emergency services immediately. Instead, they opted to watch over the child throughout the night.
When the toddler began vomiting, NCSO said the mother took the child to a nearby fire station, and they were later admitted to a local hospital for treatment of a possible overdose.
“This is a heartbreaking and completely preventable situation,” Sheriff Bill Leeper said in a release. “A one-year-old child was exposed to a dangerous, illegal drug because the adults in that home failed to provide even the most basic level of care and protection. There is absolutely no excuse for methamphetamine to be within reach of a child.”
A search warrant was executed at the home, NCSO said. Detectives reportedly found drug paraphernalia, including several glass pipes and containers with methamphetamine residue.
According to NCSO, bonds were set at more than $25,000 for Simmons, more than $25,000 for Windham, more than $10,000 for Foley, and more than $5,000 for Addison on the child neglect charges. Foley faces an additional charge of possession of drug paraphernalia, with an added bond of more than $2,500.
