California Baby Under Influence of Marijuana

October 21, 2009 by Cathy Ribble
Filed under: News

Jonathan Velasquez, Sr., was arrested yesterday in Solano County, California, on suspicion of felony child endangerment after a baby in his care was found to be under the influence of marijuana.

Police have not released the relationship of Velasquez to the child in order to protect the child’s identity.

The University of California, Davis, Medical Center in Sacramento notified Child Protective Services last Thursday that the 1-year-old little boy in their care was under the influence of marijuana, either from inhaling or ingestion. The investigation is now with the Vacaville Police Department.

The incident happened on October 11 when the child was with Velasquez at a residence and nearby park where the child’s birthday party was being held. The child was left at the residence while Velasquez returned to the park to make party preparations.

The boy’s mother and other adult relatives at the house noticed the boy was lethargic and unresponsive. They took the child to the hospital because they thought he had the flu. The 1-year-old boy and his 2-year-old brother were removed from the home and placed with relatives according to Sgt. Charlie Spruill. He noted that the 1-year-old required immediate medical attention, and that a determination has been made that this was not accidental.

Sgt. Spruill also indicated that Velasquez admitted he liked to use drugs and that he took no safeguards against the drugs falling into the hands of children.