An Evansville man was charged with Neglect and booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail on Wednesday on a $5,000 bond after an affidavit filed by the Evansville Police Department says a child in his care tested positive for methamphetamine.
According to EPD, the investigation began on June 1, when officers were dispatched to St. Vincent Hospital in reference to a child abuse report. The child’s mom said she had brought her infant to the hospital, where it was discovered methamphetamine was in the child’s system.
The child’s parents said they had left the infant with the suspect, 40-year-old Floyd Edwards of Evansville, while they were visiting a friend’s house, according to EPD.
According to the affidavit, Edwards told police that before the incident took place, a friend had come over to visit and cleaned out a meth pipe using a bottle of water while there – pouring the contaminated water back into the bottle.
Edwards told police that he used bottled water to make the infant her bottles and that he suspected he used the contaminated water from the bottle that was used by his friend.
Police said Edwards allowed officers to collect the bottle that was used to make the baby’s formula. According to EPD, the water inside of that water bottle did test positive for meth.
The baby was released from the hospital after two days of treatment and observation. Police say the medical report indicated the child suffered from severe hypertension, tachycardia, hyperactivity, high blood pressure, and body tremors as a result of the intoxication.
Edwards was charged with Family Offense – Neglect of a Dependant/Child Violations. He remains in the Vanderburgh County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
