A 22-year-old De Queen, Arkansas woman has been charged with endangering the welfare of a minor after her toddler daughter tested positive for marijuana at a hospital.
Jessika Johnson called an ambulance on April 18 after her 15-month-old daughter had been lethargic for several hours, according to a probable cause affidavit. Emergency medical personnel found the child was “burning up” and transported her to Sevier County Medical Center.
The toddler was later transferred to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock after testing positive for marijuana.
During the investigation, Johnson told authorities she suspected the baby may have ingested cleaning products while she was cleaning her home the day before, the affidavit stated.
Johnson reportedly admitted to having smokable marijuana and marijuana gummies in her home but denied the child had accessed the gummies. She suggested the child may have eaten a biscuit that had fallen on a floor where loose marijuana may have been present. However, marijuana must be heated to cause psychoactive effects.
If convicted, Johnson faces up to six years in prison, a fine up to $10,000, or both. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Tom Cooper.