The police finally arrested and charged a woman in Boise, Idaho this week. They had been investigating the woman’s treatment of her two minor children since December of 2018. The investigation first started when a local Kuna elementary school reported that one of their students lost consciousness in class. They said that it wasn’t the first time it had happened. They said it happened all the time and that, sometimes, she would lose consciousness for 15 minutes at a time. They told the child’s mother what was happening. She told them not to call 911 unless her daughter turned blue.
The police learned that the woman, 47-year old Stacey L. Matthews, had been forcing her kids to take more than 11 different medications at a time. They were all a variety of psychotropic medications that often caused her children to lose consciousness. The woman didn’t even administer the drugs herself. She told the kids to regulate their own medications and didn’t check that they were taking them properly.
If taken in the wrong combination, the children – who are just 11 and 12 years old – could have seizures and even die.
Matthews has been charged with 2 counts of felony endangerment of children. A warrant for her arrest was issued. This week, she finally turned herself into the Ada County jail. She was released on her own recognizance.
Given the situation, both children were removed from Matthews’ home for their own safety. If found guilty, the mother would be facing up to 10 years in prison for each felony count.
The names of the children have not been released given their young ages. There has been no comment from the defendant.
If you’re facing any sort of drug charge or felony in Boise, Idaho, call our office right away.