TAHLEQUAH —
A Tahlequah couple have been charged with felony child neglect after their 1-year-old baby reportedly ingested marijuana.
James A. Cosby, 23, and Ashley N. Cosby, 23, were interviewed after Tahlequah police were called to a local hospital. Personnel told police a 1-year-old child was at the hospital after possibly ingesting marijuana.
James A. Cosby allegedly told Tahlequah Officer Pamela Bell that his son had been with someone else during the day.
The child was later transferred to a Tulsa hospital and tested positive to have ingested tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.
Tahlequah Detective Thomas Donnell, in his report of the incident, said he went with an official from the Department of Human Services to visit James A. Cosby the following day at the Cosbys’ home on Water Avenue. Donnell said the home had a “strong odor” of marijuana, but James A. Cosby initially denied any was in the home.
Donnell said James A. Cosby later took him to a bathroom and pointed out a bag of marijuana under the sink, near the child’s bedroom and within reach of the boy. Donnell said the bag was approximately 4 inches by 4 inches in size.
Ashley Cosby later arrived at the home with the child, but DHS would not allow the boy to go inside the residence. The child was later placed into the care of his grandfather.
The Cosbys allegedly told Donnell they had been smoking pot in the home and may have separated the marijuana in their living room.
Some of the pot might have been left behind on the floor where the child could get it, the two said.
Warrants were issued for the arrest of the Cosbys Tuesday.
James A. Cosby is also charged with misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance and obstructing an officer for allegedly trying to delay the investigation by telling Bell the child had been with someone else.
Child neglect is punishable by up to life in prison and a fine of $500 to $5,000.
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