A 17-year-old Houston mother and her
sister face felony child endangerment charges after being accused of giving a
1-year-old baby about six shots of vodka, prosecutors said Wednesday. Police
began investigating Shadreon
Jefferson, 17, and Shamara
Batiste, 25, after the child's paternal grandmother and father called 911 on
Feb. 8. After the two women dropped the baby off with her father, the child
started shaking and vomiting while her eyes rolled back in her head, according
to court documents. The baby was taken to a nearby hospital where tests
revealed she had a blood alcohol level of .268 - more than three times the
legal limit for adults. Police investigating the pair said Batiste laughed when
she told authorities about giving the baby sips from a Styrofoam cup that was
full of vodka. Batiste told authorities that she and Jefferson had been
drinking together and that she told the baby's mother about giving the girl
vodka. She said the baby went to sleep about 15 minutes after drinking the alcohol,
according to court records.
Parents - Do I Give My Child Alcohol?
•Children
as young as ten years old are being given alcohol by their parents because mums
and dads are not aware of the damage it can cause, according to a disturbing
new survey
•“Evidence
shows that the earlier children start drinking, the more likely they are to
drink more and more frequently as they grow up.”
•“As a
dad of three kids, aged ten, seven and four, I regularly take my children to
the pub. I like the people, I like the atmosphere and they love the lemonade
and crisps. And I must confess that I have occasionally given them a slurp of
the foam from the head of my pint – yes, even the four-year-old. My dad used to
do the same with me and my brothers, and unless we're all in denial, none of us
are alcoholics. But according to the "Mumtank"
experts, I may actually be setting my kids along a path towards binge-drinking.”
•“To
be fair, I have seen some sights that have made me spit my pint out, including
children as young as seven being given shandys by
their parents; barely-teens furtively necking their mums' wine – with their
full approval. I know of one who regularly buys a half-bottle of vodka or a
couple of cans of lager for her 15 year-old son, which she rationalises by
saying it is better she bought it for him rather than see her boy get in
trouble with the police if he were to buy it.”
•One
dad told Parentdish.co.uk:
"What's wrong with giving a kid a shandy?
It's not illegal and it won't do them any harm." The mum of a 14 year-old
and 12 year-old said she gave her children wine with the Sunday roast because
"the French do it". Today's research shows that while 83 per cent of
parents agree it is important to talk to their kids about alcohol, a third
admit they are confused about the effects of alcohol on children. Many parents
said they allowed their children to drink from 13 years old.
21st Century
"I believe that we need to do more
to help parents understand the importance of the role they have to play in
educating their children about alcohol. When I was growing up, me and my
friends would buy a couple of bottles of cider and get drunk in the stairwells
of flats near where we lived," says Marion, 43, a married mum-of-two from
London. I never told my parents because they would have given me a good hiding,
so I was determined to have a different relationship with my own kids. My
oldest son is 15 years old and like his peers he drinks alcohol every now and
then, especially when they go to parties. The difference between what he does
and what I did is that I, or his dad, buy the booze for him.
The "Drink Conversation" - And How To Have It
Ages 8-10: Explain
that alcohol is only for adults and there’s a sociable side to it but if
you drink too much it’s bad for your health. Never ignore their questions, but
start formulating your rules about alcohol (eg not
before 15). Being strict won’t mean they’ll rebel.
9-12: They
may ask: “What does it taste like,” or “What does it do to you?” Answer
carefully but don’t shut conversations down: you won’t be encouraging them to
drink by talking about it. This is a good time to talk to children about the
impact of alcohol on the body. Talk about the difference between drinking in
moderation and abusing alcohol and that different types of alcohol have
different strengths.
11-14: It’s
important to lay down your rules – no alcohol until 15 at least – and to
discuss the consequences of drinking too young. Talk to their friends’ parents
too: if you can agree a joint approach, so much the better. Make sure they
realise that drinking is a choice, it’s not compulsory. Give them the tools to
be able to say no without appearing uncool, such as having to get up early the
next day for an event or sports practice. Pick your moment to talk about drink
– not just as they are leaving for a party.
13-17: If
they are already drinking, make sure they know the risks. Encourage them to
alternate alcohol with soft drinks and to eat a proper meal beforehand. Make
sure they know that if they get into trouble with alcohol they can ring you for
help or a lift home, no questions asked. Let them know you will listen and
won’t judge them. For more information, see drinkaware.co.uk.
