A daycare in Mississippi has received a mere $50 fine following an investigation into a nine-month-old baby who tested positive for Crystal Meth after leaving the facility.
Marla and Johnathon Demita noticed something was seriously wrong with their toddler, Dean, on May 20th. His unexpected distress caused them to panic. “I’m not talking about just ordinary crying. It was bloody screaming,” Marla recounted. “It was one of the worst things I’ve ever witnessed.”
After picking Dean up from the Small Blessing daycare in Yazoo City, he was in such distress that he seemed not to recognize his mother. “It’s like he was looking at me, but it was as if he didn’t know who I was,” Marla shared.
Dean suffered for several hours, from 7:45 PM on the day they took him to the emergency room, until the next morning. Tests revealed the presence of Crystal Meth in his system. Hospital records indicated that he had a dangerously fast heartbeat and cried continuously for four hours.
Authorities believe Dean was exposed to the substance at the daycare during the hours from noon to 4 PM. Despite the seriousness of the incident, the Mississippi Department of Health only imposed a $50 fine on the daycare.
Agents were unable to confirm when or how Dean ingested the methamphetamine during his time at the daycare. The center’s director, Lisa Martin, was penalized for not adhering to reporting regulations.
No response was received from the Health Department regarding inquiries about Dean’s case or any prior allegations of abuse related to Little Blessings. There had been previous complaints against the center alleging various forms of mistreatment of children.
Marla expressed frustration over the small fine, feeling it was a severe understatement for what her son experienced. The ordeal required Dean to spend 12 hours in the hospital, and both parents tested negative for drug use during this time.
The following week, Dean showed signs of irritability and had no appetite. As a result, his parents decided to withdraw him from the daycare, and he now spends his days with his mother, who works as an office manager at a veterinary clinic.
Crystal Meth is a potent, highly addictive drug that can have severe health effects, even causing death in certain circumstances. It is often described as appearing like glass shards or shiny rocks. The euphoric psychological effects it has on users are accompanied by numerous harmful side effects.
