UNNAMED TODDLER - 19 months (9/2014)/ Charged; Shawn Cross - Lakeland FL

Toddler swallows methadone pill, Lakeland man arrested and charged with child neglect

WFTS Webteam
3:45 PM, Sep 19, 2014
6:44 PM, Sep 19, 2014


Shawn Cross, 34, is charged with child abuse. Polk Co. Jail booking photo

LAKELAND, Fla. - A Lakeland man has been charged with neglect after a child in his care swallowed a methadone pill.

According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Shawn Cross, 34, was watching the 19-month-old when the child ingested the pill and became ill.

The toddler was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center and later transported to Tampa General after testing positive for methadone.

The toddler was treated with medication to counteract the methadone and is expected to make a full recovery.

Investigators said Cross bought the pills from an unknown person and brought them home.  After taking one pill, Cross said he put three other pills in his dresser drawer.

Cross later told deputies he may have dropped one of the pills.

Cross is currently booked in the Polk County Jail on one count of possession of controlled substance and one count of child neglect.

Cross has been arrested on six prior occasions, for possession of marijuana, aggravated fleeing to elude, resisting arrest, leaving the scene of a crash, petit theft, and grand theft.

http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-polk/toddler-swallows-methadone-pill-lakeland-man-arrested-and-charged-with-child-neglect