Parents of a newborn from Utah were arrested after they gave drugs to their daughter in an attempt to hide the fact that the baby was addicted to heroin.
The baby was born on April 9 at the Utah Valley Hospital. The parents were identified as Colby Wilde and Lacey Christenson. According to People magazine, Christenson was the one who crushed the pills called Suboxone to treat the baby’s heroin addiction and withdrawal. Wilde later applied the powdered form of the drug on the gums of their baby.
Christenson used heroin during pregnancy
The heroin-addicted baby is the third child of the couple.
According to the Washington Post, Christenson used heroin and prescription pain medication heavily during her pregnancy. The Utah County Sheriff’s Office said that the powdered Suboxone concealed the Withdrawal Symptoms so only the parents knew their daughter was addicted. The couple's friends reportedly told them about using the powdered form of Suboxone to hide the baby’s symptoms while they were at the hospital.
Both Christenson, 26, and Wilde, 29, were charged with child endangerment, drug distribution, and possession. Their bond was set at $10,000 each.
Children tested for methamphetamine, morphine
The newborn tested positive for heroin, methamphetamine, and morphine. The couple lived with three more children in their home.
The eldest is the son of Christenson from a past relationship while the two younger boys were kids she had with Wilde. The two younger children also tested positive for methamphetamine.
The father of the oldest child took the siblings in. Sgt. Spencer Cannon of the Utah County Sheriff’s Office told People that he does not doubt the parents love their kids but they are not in a good situation right now to take care of their children.
It is unclear for how long the kids will stay with the father of the eldest son of Christenson.
Authorities said when they visited the home of the couple, they saw drug paraphernalia everywhere. One was found next to the bassinet of the infant and another was found near a sippy cup. Suboxone was also discovered at the home.
The couple was charged again with additional four counts each of child endangerment.
Police received a tip regarding the situation of the kids. When they came, they found Wilde smoking heroin.
Wilde had run-in with the law months ago
Wilde had a run-in with the law two months ago at a local Walmart. He was grocery shopping with their newborn daughter, who was strapped in a car seat. However, he planned to steal the items so a security guard chased him. He dropped his child many times before giving the baby to a stranger.
He was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, possession of heroin and methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving without insurance.
