Pennsylvania mom arrested after 3-year-old eats gummy laced with THC, police say

A Pennsylvania woman was arrested after police said her 3-year-old child ate a gummy worm that was laced with drugs.

According to investigators, the boy tested positive for cocaine and THC in his blood after being hospitalized on Jan. 14, when he started "twitching and became lethargic."

His mother – Darlena Johnson of McKees Rocks – was allegedly "hostile" and uncooperative with hospital staff initially and wouldn't let the doctor examine her son.

After he was tested at UPMC Children’s, police said Johnson initially told investigators she had bought the gummy worms at a gas station.

However, she soon changed her story. During a home visit two days later, investigators said Johnson told a CYF worker that she bought the gummy off the street.

Police haven’t specified how cocaine might have gotten into the child’s system at this point.

Johnson was charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

About the Author