Pinellas County, Florida – A shocking video has surfaced online showing a 17-year-old babysitter named Naledi Roberts making a one-year-old child smoke weed. The video, which was reportedly recorded by Roberts herself, shows her holding a joint to the child’s mouth and laughing as the child coughs and cries.
According to the Daily Mail, Roberts was charged with unlawful conduct towards a child after police obtained a video of her holding a marijuana cigarette to the toddler’s mouth and laughing as the child inhaled the smoke. Pinellas County Police have not detailed how they obtained the footage, but they said it was recorded on Roberts’ phone and showed her face clearly. They also said that Roberts admitted to giving the child weed, and that she was babysitting the girl at the time of the incident.
The child’s 16 year old mother, who was not identified, told police that she had hired Roberts through a friend and that she had no idea what had happened until she was contacted by the authorities. She allegedly said she was shocked and outraged by Roberts’ actions and that she wanted her to face justice.
The child was taken to a hospital for evaluation and treatment, and was later released to her mother’s custody. The extent of the harm caused by the exposure to marijuana is not known, but experts warn that it can have serious and lasting effects on children’s health and development.
Why Marijuana is Dangerous for Children
Marijuana is a psychoactive substance that affects the brain and nervous system. It can cause changes in mood, perception, memory, cognition, coordination, and appetite. It can also impair judgment, decision-making, and impulse control. Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of marijuana because their brains are still developing, and are more sensitive to the chemicals in the drug. According to Children’s Hospital Colorado, exposure to marijuana can cause acute intoxication, which can lead to symptoms such as sleepiness, balance problems, anxiety, agitation, and even coma.
In addition, chronic exposure to marijuana can have long-term consequences on children’s brain development and function. According to Harvard Health Publishing, research suggests that marijuana use during adolescence can impair executive function, memory, and IQ. It can also increase the risk of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, and addiction.
Furthermore, exposure to marijuana smoke can harm children’s respiratory health. According to a guide for parents from the University of Illinois at Chicago, marijuana smoke contains many of the same toxins and carcinogens as tobacco smoke, and can cause lung irritation, asthma attacks, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
Therefore, it is crucial that parents and caregivers protect children from exposure to marijuana in any form. Marijuana products should be treated as any other drug or medicine, and should be kept out of reach of children. They should also be clearly labeled and stored in child-resistant containers.
The case of Naledi Roberts making a one year old girl smoke weed while being entrusted with babysitting her goes to show why parents of any age need to be extremely careful of who they leave their kids alone with. The young woman who had no prior criminal history is facing up to 5 years in prison.