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MANASSAS, Va. (AP) — A Virginia woman has been charged with child abuse after authorities say she tried to calm a 3-month-old baby by administering the opiate methadone.
The Manassas City Police Department said Friday that the baby was admitted to a local hospital on Dec. 3 in respiratory distress. Tests showed the infant was under the influence of methadone, which is used for controlling opioid addiction.
Police spokeswoman Adrienne Helms tells the Washington Post an investigation revealed 31-year-old Jessica F. Nicholson orally administered the drug in an attempt to calm the baby.
Police didn't say if Nicholson and the child, who is expected to recover, were related.
It wasn't immediately clear if Nicholson had an attorney who would comment on her behalf. A phone listing for her could not be found.
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