When a baby's teeth are coming in, parents will often rub a little rum on the baby's gums to dull the pain. A Phoenix mom is suspected of opting for a different remedy -- police suspect she gave her 2-year-old baby methadone to treat a toothache.
Phoenix police haven't revealed the identity of the woman, but tell New Times a 2-year-old boy was rushed to the hospital yesterday morning and was found to have methadone -- a synthetic opiate often used to ease addicts off of heroin -- in his system.
Phoenix Sergeant Steve Martos says the methadone was given to the child orally after he complained about pain in his gums and teeth.
The baby, Martos says, is doing better today, but doctors are still waiting to see whether suffer any long-term affects.
No arrests have been made, yet, as Martos says an arrest in the case "would be premature."
He says detectives are in the process of subpoenaing records, and it
could take up to a week before formal charges are filed against the
mother -- if charges are filed at all, that is.
In addition to the methadone-filled 2-year-old, two of the mother's
other children were taken into the custody of Child Protective Services.
Check back for updates.
