Yakima Father Charged With Reckless Endangerment After Baby Exposed To Meth.

Yakima Police arrested a father on Tuesday who they say exposed his 18-month-old child to methamphetamine at a home on 18th Street.

OFFICERS FOUND THE BABY UNCONSCIOUS

Officers were called to Multicare Yakima Memorial Hospital where they say the child arrived "unconscious and seizing" according to a court affidavit from the Yakima County Prosecutor's Office. The baby was airlifted to a hospital in Seattle for further treatment. We don't know the condition of the baby today.

FATHER FACING CHARGES

Authorities say while both the mother and father were in their home at the time the baby was allegedly exposed only the 47-year-old father was arrested and is now facing a charge of reckless endangerment.

THE CHILD FOUND OUTSIDE

The 33-year-old mother told police her two children were outside playing when her 5-year-old son came running into the home saying his sister was unconscious on the ground. The mother then ran outside and grabbed the baby and her and the babies' father rushed the child to Multicare Yakima Memorial Hospital and that's when hospital officials contacted the Yakima Police Department.

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MOTHER FOUND THE BABY OUTSIDE

The mother told Officers earlier in the day she found the baby outside holding a piece of tin foil used to smoke methamphetamine which she took away. Officers also talked to the father who admitted to using methamphetamine and leaving drugs in the home bathroom. Methamphetamine was found in the home on 18th street. The mother was not arrested but the father faces charges of reckless endangerment.

IT'S NOT UNCOMMON

According to an article in The Conversation In 2020, about 1 in 12 newborns in the United States—roughly 300,000 infants—were exposed to substances such as alcohol, opioids, marijuana, or cocaine before birth. Doctors say exposure increases the likelihood of premature birth, low birth weight, and a range of physical and mental health challenges for these infants.