A 22-year-old woman from Texas, Vianney Alyssa Acosta, has been arrested and charged with child endangerment after her 1-year-old nephew was exposed to marijuana. The incident occurred when the toddler allegedly grabbed Acosta’s THC vape pen off a nightstand and inhaled from it while in her care. The child later tested positive for marijuana, leading to the arrest of Acosta.
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Authorities were alerted to the situation when deputies were called to a home in eastern El Paso for a “medical emergency involving a 1-year-old child who showed signs of narcotics exposure”. The toddler was found having difficulty breathing after smoking from the vape pen allegedly belonging to Acosta. Upon arrival, medics were already attending to the child, who was said to have “droopy eyes and was trying to go to sleep.”
According to reports, Acosta, the toddler’s father, and the toddler’s grandmother were present at the home while the child’s mother was at work. The grandmother recounted that they were in the kitchen when they heard the toddler coughing in Acosta’s bedroom. Upon checking on him, they discovered the vape pen in his hands, which the grandmother confirmed belonged to Acosta.
While Acosta initially claimed that she had placed the vape pen somewhere in her room where she believed the child couldn’t reach it, deputies found the pen on a two-foot-tall nightstand with miscellaneous items covering it. Despite Acosta stating that she did not witness the toddler inhale from the pen, she speculated so based on his symptoms, indicating that she thought the pen was empty and not charged.
Following the incident, the child was taken to a local hospital for a urine test, which confirmed the presence of THC. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office also filed a case with Child Protective Services. Acosta was subsequently arrested and charged with child endangerment and possession of a controlled substance. She was later released on a $6,000 bond after posting bail.
In Texas, the charges Acosta faces could result in a sentence of up to 2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The case highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children, especially in environments where potentially harmful substances are accessible to them. Authorities are urging for vigilance and responsible actions to prevent such incidents from reoccurring in the future.