A four-week-old baby in Glasgow, Scotland, tested positive for cocaine after falling ill at a residence on May 22, 2023. The infant, under the care of Yasmin Manzur, 27, and Connor McBride, 29, was rushed to the hospital, where further testing revealed traces of cocaine in the baby’s system.
The Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that a subsequent police investigation uncovered cocaine residue on dummies located in the kitchen and living room of the property. Both Manzur and McBride admitted to causing unnecessary suffering or injury to the baby’s health, with McBride also pleading guilty to cocaine possession.
Baby’s Condition Deteriorates
Prosecutor Danielle McGuinness detailed the events leading to the discovery. Manzur reportedly woke up at 4:30 a.m. to find the baby unwell and immediately called an ambulance.
At the hospital, the infant’s condition worsened, necessitating placement in an incubator and connection to a ventilator. Doctors conducted a urine test, which confirmed the presence of cocaine.
The discovery prompted the hospital to alert the police, who subsequently obtained a warrant to search the couple’s property.
Cocaine Found on Household Items
The police search, conducted in the early hours of May 24, revealed traces of cocaine on multiple surfaces and objects throughout the home.
“Swabs were taken from the kitchen, coffee table, and bedside table, all of which tested positive for cocaine,” McGuinness told the court. “Two dummies were found—one on the kitchen worktop and another in the living room—and both contained an unquantified amount of cocaine.”
Manzur expressed confusion over how the baby came into contact with the drug, while McBride refused to cooperate with investigators without legal representation.
Court Proceedings
During the court hearing, both defendants remained silent about the events leading up to the baby’s exposure to cocaine. It was disclosed that, fortunately, the baby suffered no lasting harm from the incident.
Manzur, who had no prior criminal record, faced significant personal and professional consequences. Her lawyer, Gemma Elder, informed the court that her client had been dismissed from her six-year position at a construction company due to the legal proceedings.
McBride’s lawyer, Garvey McArdle, stated that his client was now pursuing a career as a drugs counselor, though his past actions placed a vulnerable child in grave danger.
Sentencing Deferred
Sheriff Tony Kelly postponed sentencing until the following month, requesting additional reports to inform the court’s decision. While granting bail to both defendants, Kelly issued a stern warning:
“The court is considering custody for both of you. I should not pre-judge the outcome before I have reports, but you both put the child in grave danger.”
Legal and Social Implications
The case has sparked outrage and concern over the baby’s exposure to harmful substances, highlighting issues of child safety and parental negligence.
Experts in child welfare have emphasized the need for stricter measures to ensure children’s safety, especially in environments where substance abuse may be present. This incident also underscores the importance of legal consequences for those whose actions endanger the lives of minors.
A Call for Accountability
As the legal process continues, questions remain about the circumstances that led to the baby’s exposure to cocaine and how such situations can be prevented in the future. The court’s upcoming decision will likely serve as a critical reminder of the responsibilities that come with caregiving, especially for the most vulnerable members of society.
For now, the baby’s recovery offers a glimmer of hope in an otherwise distressing case. The legal system’s handling of this matter will be closely watched, as it carries broader implications for child protection and accountability.
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