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In Virginia, seven unsupervised children were given sleeping pills by another child on Wednesday night. All seven children were hospitalized from a drug overdose.
Police responded to a call from a Hopewell home between 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. ET. Four of them were not responsive when the police arrived. They were between the ages of one and four. In another part of the house, three more children were found. They were lethargic but awake. Their ages are not known at this time.
The Hopewell Police Department reported that after speaking with the 7-year-old and consulting with physicians, they were able to determine the bottle of pills, which was not labeled, were sleeping pills. The children were left alone in the home for a “short period of time,” according to Lt. Cheyenne Casale.
The 7-year-old was prescribed the medication and “shared with the other children.” At first, it was not clear if
the prescription was prescribed to the child. All seven of them were taken to the hospital. The two youngest are in serious condition and were transported to another hospital. The details of their care is unknown.
Police did not disclose what, if anything, happened to the 7-year-old, however, child protective services was called. Their number one concern is to be sure the children are in a safe place. They have not determined who to hold accountable.
The supervising adult left the Hopewell home and went to the store. Upon returning, saw the condition of the children and immediately called 9-1-1. It is unclear what relationship this person has with them or if they will be facing charges.
Written by Jeanette Vietti
Sources:
ABC News: Police: 7 children hospitalized after given sleeping pills; by The Associated Press
NBC News: 7 children hospitalized after another kid gives them sleeping pills, police say; by The Associated Press
Fox 5: 7 children hospitalized after given sleeping pills in Virginia: police
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Inline Image Courtesy of J. Stephen Conn’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License