A medical emergency at a Pompano Beach home ended with both parents in jail and their two young daughters in state custody, after deputies say the younger child tested positive for cocaine following a terrifying health scare.
Medics were called after the 2-year-old girl was found unresponsive at the family’s home, according to an arrest report cited by WPLG Local 10. She was first rushed to Broward Health Imperial Point, then transferred to the pediatric emergency department at Broward Health Medical Center. The Florida Department of Children and Families has since taken both girls, ages 2 and 4, into state custody while investigators work to sort out how drugs allegedly ended up in the child’s system.
According to Broward Sheriff’s Office records referenced by WPLG Local 10, Charles Bernard Adams, 42, and Alexandra Shana Adams, 34, were arrested Wednesday and each booked on two counts of child neglect. The arrest report says Charles Adams told deputies he woke up to find his daughter with shallow breathing, then called 911. The same report notes that both parents later tested positive for amphetamines, benzodiazepines and kratom.
Medical Response And Emergency Custody
Broward Health’s emergency network, which includes Imperial Point and Broward Health Medical Center, provides pediatric emergency and trauma services equipped to handle toxin exposures and other critical cases, according to Broward Health. Hospital staff and child-welfare workers followed state protocols for high-risk situations, moving from emergency treatment to protective custody.
Those steps are outlined in Florida Senate rules that allow hospitals, law enforcement and child protection authorities to detain a child temporarily if there is an apparent risk to the child’s life or health. That framework is designed to give investigators time to determine what happened while keeping kids out of potential danger.
Charges, Bond And Jail Conditions
A judge set bond at 30,000 dollars for each parent and ordered strict conditions if either is released, WPLG Local 10 reports. The court said the couple must have no contact with their daughters and must comply with drug testing and GPS monitoring should they post bond.
As of Thursday afternoon, Charles Adams was listed at the Broward Sheriff’s Office main jail in Fort Lauderdale, while Alexandra Adams was being held at the North Broward Bureau facility in Pompano Beach, according to the same report.
Legal Context And What Happens Next
The two child neglect counts fall under Florida’s criminal laws on abuse, neglect and exploitation of children, which can carry felony penalties depending on the extent of harm and circumstances. The statute and its penalty structure are outlined by the Florida Legislature.
Prosecutors have said they will review the full medical record, lab findings and the results of the ongoing criminal investigation before deciding whether to move forward with the current counts or seek different or additional charges.
Authorities are reminding the public that suspected child abuse or neglect can be reported confidentially to the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873) or through the online reporting portal maintained by the Florida Department of Children and Families.
