Authorities in Florida arrested a woman Thursday after they said she exposed an infant to cocaine earlier this year, which apparently led to him suffering extensive brain damage.
Angelica Lopez, 29, stands accused of waiting 11 grueling hours before calling for emergency services after the 3-month-old baby boy “showed signs of physical distress” when he was apparently exposed to the drug in June, the Tampa Bay Times reports, citing an affidavit in the case. Authorities didn’t elaborate to the newspaper as to why Lopez wasn’t arrested sooner.
Detectives with the Clearwater Police Department allege that the suspect was “preparing cocaine for sale” when the incident occurred, according to the affidavit.
When he finally received medical attention, the infant had already suffered “significant brain damage,” according to police, who said a subsequent test revealed that the he tested positive for cocaine.
Authorities said Lopez confessed that she planned to deal the drugs, ABC reports. Further, officials said she also confessed to not having called for help immediately after the baby showed signs of suffering, and instead waited several hours.
While it isn’t clear if the unidentified infant is her biological child, the affidavit said Lopez did have custody of him.
The suspect is currently behind bars without bail on felony charges of child neglect with great bodily harm.
[Feature Photo: Angelica Lopez/Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office]
