BUNNELL, Fla. — Flagler County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested a man after his 15-month-old daughter was taken to the hospital for eating a marijuana joint, the agency reported.
Cody Spiegelhalter, 26, went to the bathroom after rolling the joint for himself, according to deputies. That's when his daughter had eaten most of the joint. She was taken to the hospital for medical treatment.
The symptoms that the girl suffered are currently unknown.
Deputies visited the home following a family member's report that the child was visiting her father and had to be taken to AdventHealth for medical treatment. She was then transferred to a pediatric hospital for further treatment.
Upon entering, deputies interviewed Spiegelhalter and determined she was hospitalized after ingesting marijuana. Spiegelhalter's home had dog feces and urine on the floors, scattered garbage and exposed nails and plumbing. Deputies also said there was no working air conditioning.
Law enforcement found loose marijuana all over the home, most within reach of a toddler, plus THC wax and a small amount of mushroom within plain view.
“This could have had a tragic ending. Thankfully, this child was removed from this very unhealthy environment,” said Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly in a statement.
Spiegelhalter was arrested for child neglect without great bodily harm. He is being held at the Flagler County jail without bond.
“Based on his irresponsibility, this guy will never be Father of the Year or even for a day, and he will be spending time at the Green Roof Inn where he belongs," Staly said in a statement.
While ingesting raw marijuana as an adult tends to just lead to "nausea, vomiting and stomach discomfort," according to Lyphe Clinic, it can cause more serious symptoms in children.
The Colorado Children's Hospital explains that symptoms of marijuana intoxication in children can range from imbalance, any degree of sleepiness "from mild drowsiness to being unable to 'wake up'" and trouble breathing. Less common but more serious symptoms include developing comas where breathing tubes and ventilators are required.
