Mother Charged After a 1-Month-Old Baby Tests Positive for Fentanyl at Nashville Hospital

A Middle Tennessee Mother Arrested

A shocking incident unfolded on a peaceful Sunday in Nashville, Tennessee, as a one-month-old girl was rushed to Hendersonville Hospital. The baby showed severe signs of discomfort, vomiting and changing colors, leading to an immediate medical response.

The ordeal transformed quickly into a police case when the infant was transferred to TriStar Centennial Children’s Hospital in Nashville for follow-up tests. The results were alarming as the baby tested positive for 1.0ng/ml of Fentanyl, a deadly opioid. Metro Nashville Police were duly informed about the situation leading to the intervention of a detective from Youth Services Division Crimes Against Children.

Baby’s Mother Tested for Drugs

The incident raised grave concerns about the welfare of the child, resulting in the intervention of the Department of Children’s Services. Their involvement saw a drug screen performed on the baby’s mother, 34-year-old Frances Grech. The test unveiled startling results, with Grech also testing positive for Fentanyl.

Grech Admits to Drug Use

According to the police, Grech made a shocking admission of doing amphetamine in a stairwell between 1:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. on May 31, about 24 hours before her baby’s overdose. The incident took another twist when Grech attempted to blame her friend for the child’s overdose.

In a desperate attempt to absolve herself, Grech cited that her friend had touched the baby’s forehead during a girl’s night. The police, however, argued that due to Grech’s drug use, being the baby’s primary caregiver, and both mother and baby testing positive for the same drug, she was the one to be held accountable.

Charges and Bond

As the primary caregiver charged with ensuring the safety of her child, Grech has now been charged with aggravated child neglect following both her and the baby’s positive test results for Fentanyl. The offense is serious and carries with it significant implications. A bond of $75,000 has been set for Grech, marking the severity of the case.

The Bigger Picture

This incident sheds light on the increasingly concerning misuse of lethal drugs such as Fentanyl across the state and the dangers they pose, especially to defenseless children. It emphasizes the need for greater awareness, stricter law enforcement, and improved rehabilitation facilities to tackle this growing menace.