Utah parents admit to giving newborn narcotics to cover up drug dependency
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Monday, July 24, 2017, 2:32 PM
Colby Glenn Wilde and Lacey Dawn Christenson were arrested and charged with a number of crimes after admitting to giving their drug-dependent infant narcotics. (UTAH COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)
A drug-addicted Utah couple was arrested earlier this month for administering drugs to their newborn daughter.
Colby Glen Wilde and Lacey Dawn Christenson, of Elk Ridge, admitted to Utah County deputies that they gave Suboxone to their infant after her birth. The drug, which is known to treat pain as well as addiction to certain narcotics, can mask drug dependency.
The child tested positive for methamphetamine, heroin and morphine, the Utah County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement. Two of Christenson’s sons also tested positive for heroin and morphine.
Investigators said they learned Christenson had been “heavily using heroin and prescription pain medication during her pregnancy.”
Wilde and Christenson admitted to crushing up Suboxone, which police found in their home on June 28, and putting it on the child’s gums in the hospital after her birth on April 9. Nurses, doctors and all other Utah Valley Hospital staff were out of the room at the time, they said.
“It makes me sick to my stomach, for a number of reasons,” said Sgt. Spencer Cannon, a spokesman for the Utah County Sheriff’s Department. “You’ve got an infant who cannot do anything for herself, and the people who should be providing her nurture, and love, and care, are the ones who are harming their child,” he told CBS news.
Wilde and Christenson, 26, were initially arrested on June 26 in connection with a theft at a local Walmart, according to the sheriff’s office.
Wilde reportedly took several items off the store’s shelves and attempted to return them for a cash refund. He was holding the infant in a car seat at the time.
After receiving the cash, authorities say Wilde was approached by store employees. He allegedly fled the store, dropping his daughter twice on his way out.
Wilde eventually handed the car seat to a stranger before getting in his vehicle and driving away.
Police were able to identify the father of four with help from the store’s loss prevention associates who’d confronted him. A deputy with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office found Wilde driving away and made the arrest.
He was booked for DUI, possession of heroin and methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without insurance, police said.
Christenson, who was still inside the store with her three sons, was arrested and taken to Utah County Jail on an outstanding warrant.
Spanish Fork police were able to get in touch with the Utah Division of Child and Family Services, which took custody of the four children. The infant was taken to a local hospital to be evaluated, authorities said.
The father of Christenson’s eldest son was contacted after the incident. Police said he agreed to take the child, along with his three half-siblings.
Authorities said they were contacted by a woman who was caring for Wilde and Christenson’s pets while they were in jail. She told police she arrived to find drug paraphernalia in the home.
Police obtained a search warrant on June 28, and reported they found paraphernalia scattered throughout the house. According to the statement issued by the Utah County Sheriff’s Department, items were discovered near a baby bassinet and next to a sippy cup.
After determining that all four children in the home could have come in contact with the paraphernalia, police added four counts of child endangerment to Wilde and Christenson’s rap sheets.
Christenson was released from jail for her outstanding warrant on June 28. Wilde posted $7,500 bond on July 5 and was freed, according to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities received a tip after the couple’s release, suggesting they were back on drugs. In their statement, deputies said that they obtained another warrant to search Wilde and Christenson’s home.
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While at the house to serve the couple, on July 18, authorities reported they found Wilde smoking heroin.
Utah County Jail records show Wilde and Christenson were arrested that same day. Both remain in custody.
They’re each being held on $10,000 bail.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...t-exposing-infant-narcotics-article-1.3351819
http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/24/health/utah-newborn-drugs-trnd/index.html