Virginia mother indicted for murder after 4-year-old son overdosed on THC gummies

A mother in Virginia is facing a murder charge and felony child neglect after her 4-year-old son died from consuming THC gummies, police said.

Dorothy Annette Clements, 30, of Spotsylvania was arrested on Wednesday, two days after she was indicted by a grand jury relating to the death of her son, which took place in May.

The Spotsylvania police department said in a statement on Facebook: “On October 17, 2022, a Spotsylvania County Grand Jury indicted Dorothy Annette Clements, 30 years of age from Spotsylvania for the death of her four-year-old son that occurred on May 08, 2022 after suffering a medical emergency two days prior at a home in the 5400 block of Jamie Court.”

“Detectives from the Child Victims Unit investigated the death and learned from doctors that the child’s toxicity level showed a high level of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Detectives believe the child ingested a large amount of THC gummies.”

The statement continued, “The attending doctor told Detectives that if medical intervention occurred shortly after ingestion, it could have prevented death. Statements made to Detectives by the mother did not match evidence seized at the home. Clements was taken into custody on October 20, 2022 by Detectives and incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail under no bond.”

Online records show that Clements’ arraignment is scheduled for November 1st. Clements faces up to 40 years in prison if she is found guilty.

A fatal marijuana overdose is unlikely, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), however marijuana can have other harmful effects, particularly at high doses, and overdoses are possible in some extreme situations.