Naledi Roberts: Teen babysitter, 17, arrested for child abuse for forcing toddler to inhale marijuana
If you or anyone you know suspects child abuse, you are urged to immediately call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential and the hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA: A teenager in Pinellas County, Florida, has been arrested and charged with felony child abuse after a disturbing video emerged of her forcing a toddler to inhale a lit joint. The 17-year-old babysitter, Naledi Roberts, was reportedly recorded on camera placing the lit joint into the child's mouth, who then inhales the smoke.
Roberts then took the joint out of the toddler's mouth and placed it into her own before inhaling. According to a spokesperson for the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, the child did not appear to have suffered any long-lasting injuries from the incident. The police say the victim is a one-year-old female. As per Florida law, no further details will be released that would tend to identify the victim.
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Roberts confessed to placing the cigarette in the toddler's mouth
The video footage was discovered after detectives responded to allegations of child abuse at a private residence in unincorporated Largo. Roberts initially admitted to smoking marijuana near the child but later confessed to placing the cigarette in the toddler's mouth after being confronted with the video evidence, the police said in a press release. While the investigation continues, Roberts' actions have sparked outrage and condemnation on social media, with many calling for her to be held accountable for her actions.
Florida's laws on child abuse and neglect depend on the severity of the crime and the defendant's previous convictions. Child abuse or neglect that doesn't cause bodily harm, disfigurement, or disability is punishable by up to five years in prison and/or fines of up to $5,000. As a third-degree felony, Roberts has been charged with one count of Felony Child Abuse and transported to the Pinellas Juvenile Assessment Centre. She as per a report has no prior criminal history except for two traffic violations. In October 2021 and December 2022, Roberts received two fines of $166 each for driving with a learner permit without a person aged 21 or over in the passenger seat, Daily Mail reported.
'The poor child has been dealt a bad hand in life'
Many people have expressed their shock and disgust at the behavior of the teenager. One person wrote on social media, "The poor child has been dealt a bad hand in life." Another added, "Hope she gets a very long sentence and the kid is removed. The system is so broken she will get that kid back, unfortunately. Praying for the 1-year-old because he will never know true love from a mother." It remains unclear how officers obtained the footage of the incident, however as per police press release they were able to get the video "through various investigative techniques." After her arrest, Roberts refused to provide an explanation for why she put the drug into the child's mouth.