Gwinnett County

Mother arrested after baby ingests cocaine, police say

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A Gwinnett County mother was in court Wednesday after police said her baby ingested cocaine.

The Fire Department was called to a home in Norcross over the weekend and found the 8-month-old girl, who was very sick. Then police were called.

The baby was taken to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Authorities are doing toxicology tests to confirm the drug and determine how much of it the child ingested.

It is unclear in the warrant exactly how the baby ingested the drug.

Jessica Hunt was arrested and charged with criminal negligence. She appeared in court Wednesday afternoon.

“And you have four minor children at home?” the judge asked.

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“Four…,” Hunt said.

Hunt seemed to struggle to keep her eyes open during the court appearance.

Channel 2’s Tony Thomas went to the home in Norcross, but no one answered the door.

Neighbors said Hunt and others rent the home; they were unaware of what police said happened.

“What can happen to the child? The child can die from that, you know,” neighbor Ned Hrustic said.

Hrustic is the father of a 3-year-old.

“I couldn’t even imagine what happened. I really feel bad for the child,” he said.

Hunt is being held without bond on a child cruelty charge and violation of probation.

There is no indication from the available police reports how the baby is doing. The investigation was not handed over to any specialty unit that would normally handle potentially fatal cases.