Despite the seriousness of a child cruelty case in which a toddler was admitted to hospital following a seizure and found to have ingested cocaine, the matter is to stay in the lower court.
The accused, who is aged in his thirties but unable to be named to protect he identity of the toddler, is charged of wilfully exposing him in a manner likely to cause him unnecessary suffering or injury to health.
An additional count of causing the child serious harm has been withdrawn.
A detective constable previously told Dungannon Magistrates’ Court the toddler was admitted to hospital on 9 February following “an episode of jerking movements lasting around two minutes”.
The child had initially suffered a choking episode after which he became “floppy” then lay on the floor for around 10 minutes during which his eyes were half-open.
Having been taken to hospital by ambulance the child was noted to be bright and alert and after a period of observation was discharged.
A toxicology report was received on 12 February which showed the child had cocaine and cannabis in his system.
The accused was arrested along with another person and provided samples for testing.
His mobile phone was seized however he would not supply the access code.
During interview he confirmed having a drug addiction and while clean for some time, he relapsed but no motivation for this was identified.
He admitted having cocaine and cannabis and non-one else in his household, including his partner, took drugs and did not know he had any or that he had resumed use.
The accused said he had bought a small quantity of cocaine on February 9 and sat at the kitchen table, where he broke it up on the back of his mobile phone and straightened it with a bank card, which he then lost.
In addition, he had taken cannabis by a vape the previous day and had done this in the presence of the toddler and other children.
He was unable to explain how the toddler ingested cocaine other than to suggest he had sucked the bank card.
Despite the seriousness of the matter a prosecuting lawyer told the most recent sitting a decision has been taken to deal with the matter in the lower court.
While the accused was granted bail he has remained in custody since his arrest and a defence solicitor said he has served the equivalent of a 10 month sentence while on remand.
He said the accused was anxious to have the matter progressed and District Judge Peter Magill agreed to list the case July 24.
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