Vianney Alyssa Acosta, a 20-year-old Texas woman, was arrested after her one-year-old nephew allegedly grabbed her marijuana vaping pen and took a “hit.” The child was in her care at the time of the incident.
According to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, the incident incident on Friday, May 16. Deputies arrived at a residence where a one-year-old child exhibited signs of “narcotics exposure.”
A complaint affidavit obtained by the El Paso Times revealed that the baby was having difficulty breathing. He reportedly smoked a THC vape pen. At the time, the toddler had “droopy eyes and was trying to go to sleep.”
The grandmother, father, and Acosta, the toddler’s aunt, were all present. The child’s mother was working at the time. At 2:42 p.m., the three adults were dining in the kitchen when Acosta saw the child coughing.
Vape Pen ‘Out In The Open’
After checking, Acosta discovered the one-year-old holding the vape pen. According to the complaint, the grandmother informed deputies that the vape pen contained “weed” and belonged to Acosta. When questioned by deputies, the grandmother stated that she was aware that Acosta smoked THC vape pens, claiming that “she’s 20.”
When deputies interviewed Acosta, the complaint claims he instantly admitted to owning a THC vape pen. She had kept it in her room, but she didn’t think his nephew could access it. According to the affidavit, the marijuana vape pen was housed in a two-foot-tall nightstand.
The affidavit further claims that the THC vape pen was “out in the open, with miscellaneous items on top covering it.” Acosta informed deputies that she assumed the vape pen was empty.
Deputies and the father transported the child to a local hospital. A urine sample revealed that the toddler had taken THC.
Vianney Alyssa Acosta was arrested and charged with possession of a prohibited substance and endangering children. She was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility with a $6,000 bond. They also opened a case with Child Protective Services.
