A Houston father is facing serious charges after he allegedly gave his 9-year-old daughter a THC-infused chocolate bar, an incident that ended with the child in the hospital battling symptoms of intoxication. Click2Houston reports that Harris County Constable Precinct 5 deputies were dispatched to Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus following the incident; the father, Anong Inthavong, 47, was arrested and charged with felony child endangerment; he's now in Harris County Jail with a bond set at $15,000, and his past run-ins with the law, including a 2009 DWI and a trespassing charge in 2008, are being scrutinized.
Inthavong's legal troubles deepened during a court appearance where he was ordered to abstain from contacting his daughter and to stay clear of drugs and alcohol, according to a court appearance covered by ABC13. Magistrate Lisa Porter set the bail amount and reinforced these conditions, while Inthavong, who claims to be a "muscular male escort" on his Facebook page, appeared to have difficulty comprehending the judge's questions, citing a metal plate in his head.
The child's mother, in an interview with ABC13, recounted the harrowing experience of receiving a distress call from her daughter, finding her unable to stand properly upon arrival, and rushing her to the hospital where test results showed positive for THC, "I wanted to cry right there when they said that. I couldn't believe it," the mother said.
Authorities continue investigating the case, which highlights not only Inthavong's recent arrest but also his history of minor offenses dating back to 2003, including probation for marijuana possession that led to a 2009 DWI conviction. Despite the gravity of the situation, the child's safety remains the primary concern for both observers and authorities. As Inthavong awaits his next legal proceedings, his history may influence judicial decisions, while discussions about responsible adult behavior and child protection in such contexts persist.
