Couple Charged In Toddler's Medication Death
CANTON (WWJ/AP) - A metro Detroit mother and her male housemate have been charged with manslaughter in the death of the woman's 1-year-old son from an overdose of a medication used to treat drug addiction.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office says 20-year-old Andrea Rodgers and 25-year-old Ryan Moody are charged with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse in connection with the death of 20-month-old Silas Rodgers.
The Canton Township residents were arraigned Tuesday and freed after posting $10,000 bonds. Their preliminary examination is Nov 2.
Police say they were called to a home located in the 45900 block of Maben in Canton around 6:40 a.m. on June 9 on reports of a child not breathing. The child was transported to a local hospital and was pronounced dead.
Prosecutors claim that while under the care of Moody and Andrea Rodgers, the child ingested the medication that caused his death. Reports say that medication was Buprenorphine.
Police reportedly believe the medication was carelessly stored in the house.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Buprenorphine is used by people trying to kick their dependency on opioids, such as heroin, oxycodone and hydrocodone. The medication allows the addicted individual to discontinue the misuse of opioids without experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
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