A Florida mom was arrested after her toddler was found to have been exposed to drugs. The toddler’s erratic behavior tipped authorities off about the woman. Thankfully, the little one will be OK despite the harrowing experience. But the mom, Debra Scott, may be looking at time behind bars.
Police are still investigating, but it seems that the mom had something to do with her child’s drug exposure.
The Levy County Sheriff’s Office released a statement about the incident. Debra Scott reportedly brought her 2-year-old daughter into a hospital in Marion County of Friday, March 21, 2025.
Speaking with doctors, Scott claimed her daughter was “acting crazy.” The toddler was erratically swinging her arms and bouncing off the walls, and she also hadn’t slept all night. After an initial medical examination, it was determined the child was “tweaking,” based on her symptoms.
Reports from the lab confirmed the observations. The girl was suffering from an acute intoxication because of exposure to methamphetamines or other stimulants. Additional tests were performed, and doctors learned the toddler also been exposed to opiates.
Hospital staff immediately called local law enforcement to conduct an investigation. As local law enforcement investigated, they learned Scott and her daughter live in Levi County. So the LCSO took over the case.
The LCSO worked with Department of Children and Family Services investigators on the case. Detectives found that Scott had recently moved to Bronson, Florida, with her romantic partner and daughter. The home they share with roommates is known for narcotic activity, police said. Scott told police that she had recently used methamphetamines.
During their investigation, police learned that Scott’s daughter had been showing signs of intoxication for approximately 12 hours. Instead of calling 911, Scott called a friend to take them to a hospital much further away from where they live.
“She knowingly put her child at risk and failed to protect the child from dangerous drugs while using dangerous drugs herself,” the statement said.
Scott was arrested on March 25 in Gilchrist County. According to WCJB, Scott was charged with felony child neglect. She will be transferred to Levi County after her first court appearance.
