A babysitter in Evansville, Indiana, has been arrested and charged with giving three children in her care stolen prescription narcotics and teaching them how to snort them.
According to Evansville Police Department, 24-year-old Deana Byrd gave three children between the ages of 8 and 15 multiple controlled substances and “showed them how to break the pills open and snort them.” Byrd was charged with six counts, including neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 3 felony, dealing in controlled substances, and theft. Police said the three children were found unconscious.
It happened in the 100 block of Althaus Avenue at approximately 5:20 p.m. Wednesday, June 28. When the mother arrived at Byrd’s home to pick up her children, she found them unconscious. When police arrived, they started life-saving measures on the children until paramedics arrived.
According to a press release, the children regained consciousness while at the residence as paramedics were rending aid but were “stumbling and falling.” While officers were inside the home, they observed “orange pill capsules, which were broken in half, with (a) powdery substance on the upstairs bedroom dresser,” according to the press release.
One of the three children, a 15-year-old, was found near the pills, unconscious. Police said the 15-year-old later regained consciousness. All three kids were transported to the hospital.
According to authorities, the children told them that Byrd gave them three to four pills, each of various types. Authorities say the pills were stolen prescription narcotics such as the stimulant amphetamine, the sedative clonazepam, and the anticonvulsant pregabalin. Authorities said they were able to locate the prescription pill bottles that were related to the drugs.
Investigators say Byrd did not have a valid prescription for any of the drugs.
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