Arizona TV Reporters Charged With Child Abuse After Baby Tested Positive for Cocaine

Two Arizona TV reporters have been charged with child abuse after their 4-month-old baby tested positive for cocaine.

Image via Facebook

Two Arizona TV reporters are now facing multiple felony charges after their 4-month-old child was found with cocaine in her system.

According to a police report, Somchai Lisaius, 42, and his wife, 26-year-old Krystin Lisaius, took their daughter to the Oro Valley Hospital on May 15 after she wouldn’t eat and appeared lethargic. The couple reportedly refused to allow a blood test on the baby, so they went to Banner University Medical Center, where a urine analysis was conducted. The test showed the presence of cocaine.

The couple was indicted on June 9 for three charges: possession of a dangerous drug, drug paraphernalia, and child abuse. They pleaded not guilty in courtMonday and were released on their own recognizance. 

According to Tucson News Now, the couple admitted to police that they snorted cocaine at their house party on May 14. Krystin Lisaius claims she breastfed 12 hours later and did not think it would have any effect on the child.

"Hypothetically, if the child ingested cocaine through breast milk, then you gotta realize that there's different understanding as to when a recreational drug will be out of your system," the couple’s lawyer, Michael Piccarreta, told Tucson News Now. "And if there's a misjudgment as to how fast it's out of your system, then it's an error that has been learned. It won't be repeated."

After the child was found with cocaine in her system, police searched the Lisaius’ home and found drug paraphernalia, as well as two white bags with traces of cocaine.

The baby is now in the custody of her maternal grandmother, while the Department of Child Services monitors her welfare. 

Latest in Life