A 7-year-old child is in critical condition at St. Louis Children’s Hospital after what police say was a drug-laced slushie that sent the child to the emergency room. Authorities arrested 32-year-old Jaslyn Raquelle Crawford and charged her with two felony counts of child endangerment after hospital toxicology tests reportedly came back positive for both fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Police Say Slushie Left Child Unresponsive
St. Ann officers were called to a home in Charlack after the child became unresponsive, according to police. A toxicology screen at St. Louis Children’s Hospital detected fentanyl and methamphetamine in the child’s blood, and a police complaint said the child “is not expected to survive,” KMOV reported. What began as a medical emergency quickly turned into a criminal investigation.
Investigators Say They Found Drugs On The Suspect
Officers arrested Crawford at the scene and later searched her belongings, vehicle and home. Jail staff later found fentanyl in Crawford’s bra and purse, and detectives said they uncovered additional narcotics in her car and residence, according to KSDK. Court paperwork cited in that reporting indicates investigators believe the drugs that harmed the child came from a woman who had been at the child’s mother’s home.
Charges And Custody
St. Louis County prosecutors filed two felony counts against Crawford, charging one count of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child and one count of creating a substantial risk of endangering the welfare of a child. She is being held at the St. Louis County Jail on a $250,000 cash-only bond, KMOV reports. Prosecutors and police say the investigation remains active as they continue gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.
Why Fentanyl Is Especially Dangerous For Kids
“Even the smallest amount of fentanyl can cause an overdose in a child,” Melissa Price Smith warned, according to KSDK, which also reported that court records show a bond-reduction hearing is scheduled for Friday, April 24 at 10 a.m. Public-health reporting has documented a rising number of fentanyl-related hospitalizations and deaths among young children in Missouri and Kansas in recent years, underscoring warnings about unsecured pills, wrappers or residue in homes. A broader investigation by the Kansas City Star highlights that trend and the heightened risks fentanyl poses to toddlers and infants.
What’s Next
The child remains in critical condition, and investigators say the probe is continuing as they review evidence and witness statements. Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact local investigators as the court case moves forward.
