PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — Two people in Putnam County have warrants for their arrests after officers had saved a child from an accidental drug intake.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
On Thursday, January 23, Deputy Colt Wade responded to a 911 call about an unresponsive 1-year-old in Satsuma. Upon his arrival, a man later identified as Bruce Harris, carried the limp child to Wade’s patrol vehicle. He immediately began resuscitative efforts and helped regain the child’s pulse, and paramedics arrived shortly after to bring him to HCA Florida Putnam Hospital.
Harris and the child’s mother, identified as Ti’Tashuna Thomas, told paramedics and Deputy Wade that the child had consumed an unknown substance, which Harris states could have been his prescribed Oxycodone pill.
After getting a search warrant for suspected child neglect, officers began searching the residence. Both Harris and Thomas left the hospital together to return to their residence where officers were still on scene, but when refused entry they drove towards Gainsville where the child was being transferred.
The child is expected to make a recovery.
During the search, officers found a plethora of drugs and weapons. Drugs found include cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and the previously mentioned oxycodone pills. Most, if not all, the items were allegedly within reach or accessible for the child.
It was also confirmed that Thomas had four other children living in the residence, ranging from 6-years-old to two months.
On Tuesday, January 28, officers received a warrant for the arrest of both Thomas and Harris. Both are charged with one count of child neglect with great bodily harm, while Harris is charged with other 5 other counts including the procession of a firearm by a convicted felon and drug trafficking.
“When you look at the circumstance where this child was being raised, there are a thousand different ways this could have ended in tragedy,” Sheriff H.D. ‘Gator’ DeLoach said. “I am thankful for not only our deputy who saved this child’s life but the hard work of our Drug Unit and detectives to ensure we have charges that hold these two accountable and remove these children from deplorable conditions.”
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Thomas or Harris is asked to contact CrimeStoppers of NE Florida at 1-888-277-8477 or download the P3 app. Tips are anonymous and eligible for a reward if leading to an arrest.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
