A Gainesville mother is behind bars after toxicology results showed the infant in her care died from methamphetamine exposure, according to deputies. On May 19, she called 911 to report that her baby was not breathing. First responders rushed in, began lifesaving measures, and took the child to a hospital, where the infant was pronounced dead. Weeks later, investigators say lab results pointed to a deadly level of meth in the baby’s system, and the child’s mother is now facing a serious criminal charge.
Investigation Details
Deputies say they were dispatched to an Alachua County home on Tuesday, May 19, after a report of a non-breathing infant. First responders tried to revive the child and transported the baby to a nearby hospital. The Medical Examiner’s Office later reported that the infant had toxic levels of methamphetamine that caused the death, according to FOX 13.
Search Warrant And Arrest
Detectives served a second search warrant at the home on Wednesday, June 10, and reported finding small amounts of marijuana along with drug paraphernalia. After interviewing the child’s mother later that day, investigators arrested Rebecca Morris and booked her into the Alachua County Jail on one count of aggravated manslaughter of a child, according to the Alachua County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff's Statement
Sheriff Chad Scott called the case “heartbreaking” and said detectives carried out a “thorough and deliberate investigation” to hold the responsible party accountable. His statement appeared in the agency’s release and was reported by FOX 13.
Context: Other Infant Exposure Cases
The arrest lands in the middle of a troubling run of Florida cases involving infants and illegal drugs. In April, authorities arrested a woman after hospital staff reported she mixed baby formula with water allegedly used to clean methamphetamine needles, according to Law&Crime. In May, a Marion County jury convicted another mother of aggravated manslaughter after the Medical Examiner found methamphetamine toxicity caused her infant’s death in 2019, as reported by WCJB.
What’s Next
Morris remains in custody while the investigation continues, according to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact the agency’s Detective Bureau. Tipsters can submit information through the sheriff’s office website at the Alachua County Sheriff's Office.
