Pubdate: Thu, 26 Sep 2002
Source: Beacon Journal, The (OH)
Copyright: 2002 The Beacon Journal Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/6
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

PAIR FOUND GUILTY OF LETTING TODDLER SMOKE MARIJUANA

ELYRIA, Ohio - A man and a woman have been found guilty of giving marijuana 
to the woman's 2-year-old nephew.

Danielle Wells, 22, now of Columbus, and Terrence Craig, 21, of Lorain, 
were found guilty Thursday in Lorain County Common Pleas Court of providing 
Khairee Davis with a hollowed-out cigar filled with marijuana.

Wells was convicted of one count of complicity to corrupting another person 
with drugs and one misdemeanor count of assault. She faces a maximum 
sentence of 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Craig was found guilty of the same offenses and an additional count of 
corrupting another person with drugs. He could be sentenced to three years 
in prison and fined as much as $10,000.

Police said that in August 1999, Wells and Craig were in Wells' apartment 
with the boy and his baby sitter, Steven Rand, who was 14 at the time, and 
that all three took turns smoking the cigar.

Rand testified that when the cigar fell on the floor and Khairee picked it 
up, Wells urged Craig to let the child smoke it.

When Khairee's mother, Tanika Davis, came to pick up her son, she smelled 
marijuana in the apartment and called 911.

Assistant Prosecutor Vasile Katsaros said the child tested positive for 
marijuana after being taken to EMH Regional Medical Center.

During the trial, Katsaros said a police officer smelled marijuana on the 
toddler's breath and clothing in the hospital.

"The baby looked to him to be numb and lethargic," Katsaros said. "He's 2 
1/2 years old and he's stoned."

A physician testified that Khairee's urine levels showed that he either 
smoked marijuana or had marijuana smoke blown in his face.

Court officials said the child is in his father's custody.
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