A daycare center in Mississippi was fined only $50 after a disturbing incident involving a 9-month-old infant who tested positive for crystal meth just hours after leaving the facility. The minimal fine was met with outrage from the child’s parents, who described the situation as a “punch in the gut.”

Parents Marla and Johnathon Demita became alarmed on May 20 when their son, Dean, started behaving unusually — not just fussing, but screaming uncontrollably and exhibiting distress. According to reports, Dean was deeply agitated, crying out in agony throughout the night and showing signs of not recognizing his mother after being picked up from Little Blessings Daycare in Yazoo City.

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The parents rushed Dean to both a pediatrician and a hospital, but initially received no explanations. Medical tests confirmed that Dean had ingested crystal meth, which was linked to his severe reactions including rapid heartbeat and extended crying. Records show he was likely exposed while at the daycare between 12 and 4 p.m.

Surprisingly, the Mississippi Department of Health issued only a $50 fine to the daycare, citing failure to report the incident properly. The agency could not confirm whether Dean ingested the drug at the facility, but they also documented past allegations of abuse at the daycare center, involving claims of hitting and locking children in dark rooms.

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The daycare’s director, Lisa Martin, was fined for not reporting the incident as required, but the agency did not confirm whether the child ingested drugs at the center. Past complaints include allegations of physical abuse, but no further details have been provided publicly.

Dean, who is now 10 months old, spent about 12 hours in the hospital, recovering from his ordeal. His parents conducted drug screenings on themselves, which tested negative. He was irritable and with no appetite for several days after the incident, and his parents have since removed him from the daycare. Dean now spends his days with his mother, who is the office manager at a veterinary clinic.

Crystal meth, a highly addictive stimulant that resembles shiny, bluish-white rocks, can have deadly effects even on adults. It is known by street names such as Chicken Feed, Poor Man’s Cocaine, and Black Beauties, and produces intense euphoria and other serious side effects, including death.