Youngster, aged three, found to have Hashix and cocaine in his system.
In a shocking turn of events, a couple in Spain is facing serious charges following the discovery that their three-year-old son had cocaine and hashish in his system. The young boy was taken to La Fe Hospital in Valencia after suffering sudden convulsions and becoming rigid.
Doctors at the hospital suspected a severe case of accidental poisoning due to substance abuse. Tests on the boy's blood and urine confirmed the presence of the illegal substances. The negligence that led to the boy's access to drugs has resulted in the parents being charged with both child abandonment and a public health crime.
Under Spanish law, child abandonment is considered a serious criminal offense. Article 227 of the Penal Code stipulates that leaving a child without care can result in prison sentences from 6 months to 3 years, fines, and possibly the loss of parental custody due to endangerment or neglect. Public health crimes involving drug exposure to minors are also treated seriously, though specific penalties and regulations depend on the context and substances involved.
The Social Services department of the Valencian Community is currently in custody of the child, and the boy is reported to be in good health. The National Police Corps of Spain detained a 46-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman on July 30.
The future of the couple and their child will be determined by a judicial decision after evaluating the parents' ability to care for the child. However, no new information about the future judicial decision or the current custody of the child has been provided.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of child protection laws and the role of the police and social services in ensuring the welfare of children in potentially dangerous situations.
[1] Spanish Penal Code (Article 227): https://www.boe.es/buscar/doc/2000/BOE-A-2000-16489.html [2] Child Abandonment Laws in Spain: https://www.expatica.com/es/living/family/child-abandonment-laws-in-spain-37509/ [3] Enforcement of Child Abandonment Laws in Spain: https://www.abc.es/abci/noticias/espana/20210720/abci-menor-abandonado-aereopuerto-barcelona-madre-padre-detenidos-202107201001_noticia.html [4] Barcelona Airport Abandonment Case: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58046740
- This incident highlights the severity of general-news events that involve child abandonment, a crime under Article 227 of the Spanish Penal Code.
- The case also illustrates the role of mental-health professionals, as the young boy's health situation was initially misdiagnosed as a result of accidental poisoning caused by substances like cocaine and hashish.
- The fitness-and-exercise routine and overall health-and-wellness of the child, currently in the custody of the Social Services department of the Valencian Community, will likely be considered during the forthcoming judicial decision.
