COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina couple is facing child neglect charges after police said their 1-year-old son suffered an illegal drug overdose for the second time.
According to WACH and WOLO, Columbia police arrested Donald Ray Little Jr., 39, and Mary Ashley Willis, 27, of Berkeley County, last week after the baby overdosed on fentanyl at a Washington Street hotel.
Police said the pair was sleeping Wednesday morning when the child ingested the drugs, WOLO reported. They then brought the boy, who was unresponsive, to a nearby police station, according to WACH. Emergency crews rushed the infant to an area hospital, where doctors found fentanyl in his system, WOLO reported.
The child, whose first birthday was Friday, also suffered a previous drug overdose in Charleston, police said. He is now “doing great” and has been placed in state custody, WACH reported.
Little and Willis were booked at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, according to WOLO. In addition to the child neglect charge, Little also is accused of possessing a controlled substance and illegally possessing ammunition, the news outlet reported.
Cox Media Group
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