A mom in Florida has been accused of exposing her baby to methamphetamine by preparing baby formula with water she used to clean needles.
The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement via Facebook that Jalyn Brownworth was charged with child neglect with no bodily harm after police said her baby showed signs of exposure to methamphetamine.
Brownworth, 32, was arrested on April 9 after medical staffers at a local hospital contacted police to report that they believed her baby had potentially been exposed to drugs. Medical staff called the Department of Children and Families, which launched an investigation into the matter.
Police said that Brownworth brought her baby to the hospital after she grew concerned over behavioral changes. After medical staff examined the baby, they grew to suspect that the baby had been exposed to an illicit substance.
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The baby ultimately tested positive for methamphetamine, according to police. Amid the investigation, authorities learned that Brownworth fed her baby formula that she made with water that had been contaminated after she previously used it to clean hypodermic needles that were used to inject methamphetamine.
Police said that the baby is in stable condition and recovering. However, it’s not currently clear whose custody the baby is in following Brownworth’s arrest.
Brownworth has also been ordered to not make contact with the baby when she is eventually released from jail.
She is currently in custody at the Alachua County Jail on $20,000 bond, according to WCJB.
The investigation into the case remains ongoing.
Brownworth’s next court date has not been made publicly available. It is not currently clear if she has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following her arrest.
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The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Us Weekly’s request for comment regarding updates in the case.
Babies who are exposed to methamphetamine while in the womb and after birth face the possibility of severe health risks, which include low birth weight, premature birth, neonatal withdrawal and long-term neurobehavioral issues, according to the National Institute of Health.
Methamphetamine use during pregnancy has been linked to a higher chance for pre-term delivery, poor growth and low birth weight. The National Institute of Health reported that some studies have suggested that methamphetamine use in pregnancy can increase the chance for the baby to have high blood pressure, placental abruption and fetal or infant death.
