Child ODs On Methadone In Sippy Cup

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office booking photo of Dana Michell Anderson
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A 30-year-old woman is charged with aggravated manslaughter after a 2-year-old boy died after coming in contact with methadone she admitted leaving in a child's plastic drinking cup, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
The boy's father, Ernest Wright, said he was in school when it happened and he came to his home on Alta Drive on Nov. 15 to find his son unconscious.
He took the boy to a hospital, where the boy was pronounced dead on arrival.

The autopsy revealed Masia Wright died from methadone toxicity and the medical examiner ruled the case a homicide.
According to the arrest report, when interviewed by detectives on Monday, Dana Michell Anderson admitted to leaving a purple sippy cup with about 80 mg of methadone in it on the dresser of her bedroom.


Family Photo

Masia WrightWright said that Anderson was not the boy's mother, but she had helped raise him since he was 3 months old. He believes his son must have seen the cup and thought there was juice inside.
"I know she loved my son and she wouldn't do anything like that," Wright said. "She just wasn't thinking."
Police records show Anderson has several previous arrests, including several drug charges, petty theft and traffic charges.
The Florida Department of Children and Families spokesman John Harrell said the agency was investigating Masia's death. Harrell said this is a tragic reminder that people be very careful about anything left within the reach of a children.