Mother charged after 14-month-old son hospitalised with blood alcohol level over four times legal limit
A 27-year-old woman has been charged after her 14-month-old son was found with a blood alcohol level more than four times the legal limit
A 27-year-old Louisiana woman has been charged after her 14-month-old son was hospitalised with a dangerously high blood alcohol level.
Genesis Harrell was arrested and charged with child cruelty on July 2 after an investigation into a medical emergency that occurred in May, when her toddler was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
According to arrest documents, obtained by WBRZ, the child was taken from a Baton Rouge residence to hospital after becoming “not behaving normally”, with reports saying that he went limp when his mother tried to pick him up and did not recover after sleeping.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.At hospital, the boy was found to have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.305 per cent, more than four times the legal driving limit in Louisiana of 0.08 per cent.
Medical experts say readings in this range are associated with severe alcohol poisoning, including risk of unconsciousness, respiratory failure and potentially death without urgent treatment.
The toddler was diagnosed with alcohol intoxication with complications, along with acute respiratory failure, hypoxia and hypercapnia.
He was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit, intubated and placed on a ventilator.
Doctors warned that the child was at risk of brain injury, cardiac arrest and respiratory collapse without immediate intervention.
Authorities allege Harrell told police she called emergency services after noticing her son was “not behaving normally” but said she did not know how the alcohol was consumed.
She also stated alcohol was present in the home but claimed it was stored securely.
Investigators later noted that she declined to answer further questions about the incident, including where the alcohol was kept and what type it was.
Court documents also stated that the child’s mother was identified as his sole guardian at the time, and that her boyfriend was not responsible for his care.
Police described her actions as a “gross deviation” from the standard of care expected of a reasonable parent.
The child remains in hospital in intensive care as the investigation continues.
Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to headspace.org.au.Lifeline: 13 11 14.
