April 21, 2008

A 16 month-old and a three year-old are taken away from their Louisa County parents after doctors find both cocaine and a prescription drug in their systems.

The grandfather of the two boys says he doesn't know how the drugs got in the kids systems but he believes their parents would never do this intentionally.

“It had to be an accident,” said Louis Quarles.

Quarles says the boys parents would never give their kids drugs on purpose. “They must have got into it by their daddy he must have had something in his pocket and dropped it on the floor or by laying on the sofa and taking off his shirt or pants and must have had something and dropped it,” said Quarles.

He explains then the three year old must have found it... “The older one could a got a hold of it and they always share stuff,” said Quarles. And maybe they put it in their mouths. “Thought it was candy because both of them got an appetite,” explains Quarles

It was last Wednesday Quarles says the kids were in his wife's care...their grandmother had to take them to the hospital. “My wife told me the children were staggering,” said Quarles.

The children were brought into the ER after showing symptoms similar to an adult under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

Doctors at UVa medical center found both cocaine and a prescription drug found in sleeping pills or tranquilizers in both boys systems. “I'm not a doctor or anything but I know the power of a tranquilizer and cocaine and I think they are very fortunate they didn't overdose,” said Louisa County Major Donald Lowe.

Deputies seized a number of prescription medicines from inside the boys Louisa County home. They also found crack cocaine, marijuana (approximately 1/4 lbs) and a large sum of money ($1,600) in their father's van. “I don't have no use for him,” said Quarles.

The father, 25 year old Derek Christmas is charged with possession, intent to distribute and with two child endangerment charges.

The mom, 26 year old Brenda Quarles was also arrested for child endangerment.

Deputies say this was no accident and are still investigating the motive. “That's the ten million dollar question. I don’t have a clue,” said Lowe

The two children and a three week old baby remain in the custody of child services.

Both parents have been released on bond. Their next court appearance has been scheduled for April 25th at the Louisa Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court at 9 a.m.

“I know in my 20 years of law enforcement this is the first time I have seen a case of this nature here especially involving children of that age,” said Lowe.