Police: Johnston woman fed methadone-tainted formula to 6-month-old daughter

Daniel Kittredge
Posted 7/25/14

A Johnston woman who police say fed her 6-month-old daughter baby formula mixed with methadone has been charged with first-degree child abuse.

Carissa M. Manning, 27, of 11 Binghampton St., Apt. …

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Police: Johnston woman fed methadone-tainted formula to 6-month-old daughter

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A Johnston woman who police say fed her 6-month-old daughter baby formula mixed with methadone has been charged with first-degree child abuse.

Carissa M. Manning, 27, of 11 Binghampton St., Apt. 1, was arrested Wednesday, according to Johnston Police Maj. Frank Levesque. She appeared in Third District Court and was released on $10,000 personal recognizance, with her next court date scheduled for Sept. 24. A no-contact order was also issued.

Levesque said emergency personnel responded to a 911 call on the morning of July 10 regarding an unresponsive baby, and transported the child to Hasbro Children’s Hospital. CPR was performed en route to save the child’s life, the major said.

According to the narrative report of Detective Brian Loffredi, the child tested positive for methadone, and the hospital determined the substance had been ingested.

Levesque said during a joint investigation conducted by Johnston detectives and officials from the Department of Children, Youth and Families, Manning acknowledged storing extra methadone - a synthetic pain reliever used in the treatment of heroin addiction - in a baby bottle.

According to Loffredi’s report, Manning told police she placed a small amount of methadone in a baby bottle prior to entering a clinic in Providence on July 9. She reportedly said she did not want to turn the methadone back over to the clinic before receiving her new dosage.

According to Loffredi’s report, Manning said later that evening she prepared formula for the child and forgot she had placed the methadone in the bottle. She denied intentionally giving her daughter the tainted formula, the report states.

“[Manning] claims it was accidental,” Levesque said. “Through our investigation … we determined there was a clear case of neglect.”

Levesque said the child has been placed in the custody of a relative, and is recovering. He praised the work of Loffredi, who served as head investigator on the case, and said local police do not frequently encounter such situations.

“I’ve never seen methadone in a baby bottle before,” he said.

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