Sentenced: Aurora Toddler Died From Methadone Toxicity & Morbid Obesity

[Sugar Cookie]

An Aurora mother was arrested after her toddler died from ingesting her methadone. Christina Watkins is charged with reckless homicide and neglect of a dependent.

Emergency were called to Watkins home on January 13. He was rushed to Highpoint Health but he died.

Watkins told investigators that her son was wheezing the night before and she thought he might have gotten into a container of Comet but she didn't think he ate any.

She also told investigators she had been prescribed methadone but keeps it in a locked bag in her vehicle.

An autopsy showed the boy had died from methadone toxicity. Morbid obesity was also a factor.

During a search of her apartment, police say they found a padlock on the kitchen counter. It was a padlock that's usually on bags used by methadone patients to keep it secure. A kitchen chair was pulled up to the counter. Another bag with methadone bottles was found by the couch. Many of them were open and empty. She told police she had taken some of the methadone but not all of it.

She later admitted to police she didn't think her son could take the lock off of the bag or open the bottles.

Dearborn County mother arrested after toddler ingests methadone, police say

AURORA, Ind. (WKRC) - An Aurora mother was arrested after her toddler died from ingesting her methadone. The Dearborn County Prosecutor’s Office says Christina Watkins is charged with reckless homicide and neglect of a dependent. Emergency were called to Watkins home on January 13. He was rushed...

local12.com

 

[Sejanus]

Just how big was the kid?
Prader Willi Syndrome?

 

[Metalfan]

Poor kid.And it's not their fault they are obese,I truly believe it's their parents fault for that shit.I mean really I have a nephew that was big,saw him eat half a box of sweet cereal,with a couple of donuts and his mom said nothing.

 

[Ramona the brave]

Just how big was the kid?
Prader Willi Syndrome?

This was my first thought as well... Especially if he was desperately opening and consuming bottles of pills that almost certainly taste disgusting.

 

[Sevens My Charm]

The mother of a 3-year-old who authorities say died after ingesting 380 units of methadone denies giving the prescribed drug to the boy.

In addition to the methadone, the affidavit says obesity was also a factor in his death. The boy weighed 80 lbs., which is more than double the average weight of a three-year-old, according to doctors at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

Redirect Notice

 

[Old Man Metal]

Watkins told investigators that her son was wheezing the night before and she thought he might have gotten into a container of Comet but she didn't think he ate any.

Wheezing's not Comet. That's Formula 409. The no-pulse thing is the methadone.

You whore. You fucking, fucking whore.

 

[Keepalowprofile]

An 80 pound 3 yr old.

Jesus Christmas.

I guess when the food failed to occupy him, she started giving him methadone.

 

[Brillig]

80 pounds at age 3 really sounds like Prader-Willi to me. Poor kid was far beyond chubby.

I can't imagine raising a Prader-Willi child. An endless battle because your poor kid is genuinely hungry, but it's your job to prevent them from eating. What a nightmare.

 

[Ramona the brave]

80 pounds at age 3 really sounds like Prader-Willi to me. Poor kid was far beyond chubby.

Especially since she and her other kids appear to be of normal weight (assuming I found the right profile).

I hope genetic testing is done or she has a good lawyer. I know a kid with Prader-Willi, and he would stop at nothing to consume every marginally edible thing he could find. Day-old garbage, tasty-smelling soap, didn't matter. Child safety locks have no effect because they are so desperate to eat... you need padlocks on everything.

Looks like he has the characteristic facial features as well.

https://scontent-msp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/82555978_2972910556073458_6870248953904889856_o.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_sid=05277f&efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&_nc_oc=AQmqu3ZSo51AnssnpUT3RFG8VeOGW3sAmhQV32Mi1qw6iY_jjQ3z9s3NXJdDTQNvWKY&_nc_ht=scontent-msp1-1.xx&_nc_tp=14&oh=640bf9869cf5434d76bb77bd8d28cbbb&oe=5EE69247

 

[Old Man Metal]

If it's a medical condition, I will take back the "fucking whore" part.

 

[Muriel Schwenck]

If it's a medical condition, I will take back the "fucking whore" part.

i dunno... if the child had that condition she ought to have been more aware but maybe she didn't realize how clever little boys can be figuring out mechanical things, but then she was sunk in her own addiction problems.
I also wondered if her drug problems created a baby with a serious disability...

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Or the child could have existed on a diet of fast food, junk and soda.

 

[Ramona the brave]

i dunno... if the child had that condition she ought to have been more aware but maybe she didn't realize how clever little boys can be figuring out mechanical things, but then she was sunk in her own addiction problems.
I also wondered if her drug problems created a baby with a serious disability...

It's genetic and very rare... So conditions in utero would not be a factor. Many kids go undiagnosed for years and it gets written off as bad behavior. (behavior problems are also common, kids with this syndrome seem to completely lack empathy and exhibit a degree of psychopathy... It's honestly disturbing)

No doubt she should've noticed something was wrong with this child, and I think "neglect of a dependent" charges are fully justified. But if (IF) she was actively getting clean while parenting an unknowingly disabled child and IF the kid has Prader-Willi... I don't think reckless homicide is an applicable charge.

 

[MildlyMedicated]

I would think if cared for from birth, and seeing health care professionals regularly (immunizations)
Someone would have diagnosed this baby. Maybe she got tired of fighting the unending hunger, and
protecting him from himself. Maybe she thought if the drugs stopped her from wanting to eat it would work for him?

 

[Sugar Cookie]

 

[Sugar Cookie]

 

[Jellyfish Brain]

So nothing? I mean at least she could've kept the methadone in her car like she said, it would've been safer. She also lied at the beginning, that to me tells me she knew she did wrong. Eh drug addicts are given too much leniency these days.

 

[runninfawn]

"dismissed without prefudice" doesn't that mean that she can be charged at a later date if they get evidence of wrong doing giving them a more solid case to prossecure them ? i am not up to all the terms of the law

 

[cubby]

"dismissed without prefudice" doesn't that mean that she can be charged at a later date if they get evidence of wrong doing giving them a more solid case to prossecure them ? i am not up to all the terms of the law

Yep that means they can try again later when they get more evidence/information.

 

[runninfawn]

Yep that means they can try again later when they get more evidence/information.

ty...

 

[Sugar Cookie]

OFFENDER: CHRISTINA M WATKINS

PROJECTED RELEASE DATE: 02/05/2029

1. DESCRIPTION: RECKLESS HOMICIDE

TERMS IN YEARS/MONTHS/DAYS: 5 YEARS 9 MONTH AND 19 DAYS

PROJECTED RELEASE DATE: 09/11/2028


2. DESCRIPTION: ESCAPE

TERMS IN YEARS/MONTHS/DAYS: 1 YEAR

PROJECTED RELEASE DATE: 02/05/2029


Watkins messed up while on house release and was remanded to the Indiana Department of Correction