A Pinellas County woman has been arrested on a child neglect charge after police said she exposed a 3-month-old boy to cocaine, then waited more than 11 hours before seeking medical attention.
Angelica M. Lopez was arrested Thursday in connection with the incident, which occurred in June, an arrest affidavit from the Clearwater Police Department states. The affidavit doesn't say directly that the boy was hers, but does say he was in her "care and custody."
According to police, Lopez was "preparing cocaine for sale" in the apartment she shared with the boy. He was exposed to the drug and "showed signs of physical distress," the affidavit states.
By the time she finally sought medical attention 11 hours later, the boy had suffered significant brain damage. Cocaine was found in his system, police reported.
Lopez admitted to the charges in an interview with police. It was not clear Saturday why her arrest wasn't made until five months after the incident.
Lopez was booked into the Pinellas Jail and held on $20,000 bail.