Share and Follow
Hayden Simmons, Damien Windham, Erica Foley, and Judith Addison are facing serious charges after a troubling incident involving a young child.
NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. — Four individuals have been charged with child neglect resulting in significant bodily harm following an incident where a 1-year-old consumed methamphetamine from a sippy cup at a residence in Callahan. The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office disclosed these developments on Friday.
Arrested and charged in connection to the incident are Hayden Simmons, 21, Damien Windham, 21, Erica Foley, 45, and Judith Addison, 79. All four are reported to be permanent residents of the household where the event took place. They are currently held at the Nassau County Jail & Detention Center.
The case came to light on Tuesday when the Florida Department of Children and Families informed detectives that the young child had ingested methamphetamine the previous day.
As the investigation unfolded, authorities discovered that the toddler had drunk from a sippy cup, which was later found to contain a bag at its bottom. According to the sheriff’s office, a resident confirmed that the bag contained methamphetamine.
Despite discovering that the child had potentially been exposed to the drug, NCSO said neither the parents nor any of the residents immediately called 911, but instead, monitored the child overnight.
When the toddler began vomiting, NCSO said the mother took the child to a nearby fire station, and they were later admitted to a local hospital for treatment of a possible overdose.
“This is a heartbreaking and completely preventable situation,” Sheriff Bill Leeper said in a release. “A one-year-old child was exposed to a dangerous, illegal drug because the adults in that home failed to provide even the most basic level of care and protection. There is absolutely no excuse for methamphetamine to be within reach of a child.”
A search warrant was executed at the home, NCSO said. Detectives reportedly found drug paraphernalia, including several glass pipes and containers with methamphetamine residue.
According to NCSO, bonds were set at more than $25,000 for Simmons, more than $25,000 for Windham, more than $10,000 for Foley, and more than $5,000 for Addison on the child neglect charges. Foley faces an additional charge of possession of drug paraphernalia, with an added bond of more than $2,500.
