We all know the dangers of adults drinking alcohol. Alcohol slows down mental functions and reaction time and in large amounts can case unconsciousness and even death. So why would parents give a two-month old baby alcohol? That is the question doctors and police in Colorado are asking themselves.
The baby girl and her mother were dropped off at a hospital in Colorado by the mother’s boyfriend. Upon examination doctors found that the infant had a blood alcohol level of 0.364, four times the legal driving rate in Colorado.
The mother gave mixed stories about what happened so investigators are still looking into the matter. But it seems pretty clear to me that a two-month old baby couldn’t just accidentally find some alcohol and drink it. At that age a baby might be able to hold her own bottle, but pick up a bottle of alcohol and drink it – I don’t think so.
Personally I think the parents were most likely drunk and wanted the baby to stop crying. So they gave her some alcohol, which of course stopped the crying. I’m surprised and grateful they realized that the baby needed to go to the hospital.
The doctors treated the baby girl for alcohol poisoning but at this time do not know the long-term effects the alcohol might have on her in the future. The hospital spokeswoman Sharon Miracle commented, “Any time you give alcohol to a child, and at that quantity, it is extremely dangerous.” In fact, the alcohol is “virtually a poison” in the system.
Currently the baby is in custody of the state and police are looking for the mother’s boyfriend.
In October, a 17-month old boy was treated for alcohol poisoning with a level of 0.195 and I’m sure there are other cases as well.
If parents are going to drink they need to drink responsibly. All alcohol should be locked away and inaccessible to children. There is no excuse for a parent to allow their child to drink at levels that are dangerous to their health. With so many parents out there doing stupid things it is surprising that children survive at all.
See related blogs:
Mom Calls Police On Own Son
Selling Our Kids and Using Them As Weapons
Make Sure You Know Who’s Watching Your Kids