Toddler ate mother’s stash of the drug ice, police allege

UPDATE: The grandmother of the boy allegedly poisoned by ice broke down in tears today speaking to the Daily Telegraph about what the drug had done to her family.

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THE grandmother of the boy allegedly poisoned by ice broke down in tears today speaking to the Daily Telegraph about what the drug had done to her family.

She maintains her daughter’s innocence.

“It (ice) has ruined her life and her future,” she said from her home at Albion Park Rail, south of Wollongong.

“It will stick with her forever.

“My daughter loved that little boy.”

“It will stick with me forever because I have lost my grandson.

“They want this rubbish, but go and buy a bottle of beer, have a cigarette. Don’t do this to yourself.”

The grandmother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: “My daughter loved that little boy and tried to have a baby for five years before she fell pregnant.

“She loved him more than anything.”

Meanwhile, the mother was due to appear in court over the matter today but called in sick to court.

The 27-year-old faces charges for nearly killing her 21-month-old but did not turn up to her hearing this morning at Port Kembla Local Court.

The woman, who cannot be named, is accused of leaving the baby unattended near a large stash of drugs.

The baby allegedly ate a portion of ice and went into seizures before being rushed to hospital seven months ago.

The woman was yesterday ordered to appear before court to face the allegations but left Child Abuse Squad detectives waiting for hours.

The magistrate eventually adjourned the case for two weeks after the mother called to say she was too sick too appear.

The mother and son cannot be identified for legal reasons.

The 27-year-old South Coast mother allegedly left a stash of methylamphetamine (ice) in her room with her child in January while he slept.

According to police, the drug was eaten by the baby boy.

The child was found in a fit of severe seizures and rushed to Wollongong Hospital.

Hospital staff suspected the child had been poisoned and tested him for drugs.

The boy’s tests came back positive for the drug ice.

It is understood the child ­escaped long-term injuries from the overdose but was in a life-threatening condition at the time.

Doctors tipped off police which sparked a secret seven-month investigation by the Child Abuse Squad which recently raided a home.

They allegedly found methylamphetamine, cannabis, cathinone, buprenorphine and tools used for drug taking in the house.

Police allege the boy was left unattended in his mother’s room in reach of the drug stash.

The Koonawarra mother has been stripped of custody of the boy, who is now in the care of the NSW Department of Family and Community Services.

She was yesterday formally charged with abandon and expose child under seven, cause danger of death and six counts of possess a prohibited drug.

She is not in custody but ­investigators yesterday issued her with an order to appear at Port Kembla Local Court today.

Police allege the boy was left unattended in his mother’s room in reach of the drug stash / File photo

Detectives will allege that officers had been told the boy was sleeping in the mother’s room the night before the overdose.

It was there that the boy managed to access the drugs, which made him violently ill.

Police said the tip-off from medical staff led to the search warrant which uncovered the drug stash.

“Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse Squad commenced an investigation, executing a search at the boy’s home ... and seized methylamphetamine, cannabis, cathinone, buprenorphine and drug paraphernalia,” the spokesman said.

The 27-year-old South Coast mother allegedly left a stash of methylamphetamine (ice) in her room with her child in January while he slept / File photo.

“(We are) comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate crimes against children, including sexual assault, physical abuse and serious cases of neglect,” the spokesman said.

“Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers.”