SUMMARY:
Two parents in Tacoma, Washington, Ashely Hutt and Leroy McIver, are accused of injecting heroin into their three children. At their home, investigators found many drugs and needles floating around the house, as well as uncleanly conditions. The children, ages 2, 4, and 6, said that they had been given "feel-good medicine", explaining that Hutt and McIver would fill a needle with a white powder and water and inject them with it. What was strange, however, was that the oldest child had little to no signs of heroin in his system, but the younger two were tested positive. There was additional evidence showing that the babysitter might have taken part in the crime as well. These parents and potential suspects could potentially go to prison for many, many years (possibly even decades) for a crime as corrupted as this. After multiple trials, McIver was recently arrested, and Hutt is in custody with a bench warrant. Child Protection Services (CPS) has taken the three children into custody because of "abuse and neglect", and placed them in a foster home. According to the article, it says "they're doing well" so far!
ANALYSIS:
Before I read this article, I had been informed of the recent heroin epidemic, and the many problems that have risen as an effect. This case has sadly added to the negative reputation and impact of drugs on our society today. Drug abuse is a major problem, and I feel as though that we as a nation need to act upon it. This article was written to inform people of this issue. I would like to know what influenced these parents to commit such a crime, and I'm glad that their actions are being investigated. It's a good thing that the older child was not harmed, but I pray for the other two children that they are okay! Also, this calls into question if there should be certain restrictions on care for children and who should and should not be the guardian of a young adolescent. This is similar to the temperance movement around the Second Great Awakening. Because of adults' overconsumption of alcohol, they were hurting loved ones, and there was a movement to improve this problem. I believe this crisis should be handled similarly.
I wasn't aware of the heroin epidemic but this is extremely concerning. I'm hoping that the foster care system takes good care of these three children and keep them together. I'm hoping that there will be more restrictions to prevent this from happening again.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a disturbing story, how anyone could do such a thing to their own children or any child as far as that goes. I am still concerned about the children's long term health and the psychological affects that they may have in the future from the horrific behavior of their parents. I hope the parents are prosecuted and hopefully they don't have anymore children.
ReplyDeleteWow, I am really disappointed in this also because I read about the heroin epidemic recently. This is just another example of how corrupt our world is. I really like your synthesis and it does bring up the question of if young teens should be able to watch children alone.
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