Kentucky mother allegedly on meth, marijuana when toddler swept away in flood waters
A Bowling Green woman was charged with murder Wednesday, a day after her 20-month-old son died after being lost in flood waters, according to media reports.
The mother, 28-year-old Alexandria Richardson, had allegedly recently used meth and marijuana when driving across a flooded bridge in Edmonson County on Monday, the Bowling Green Daily News reported.
Richardson’s vehicle submerged, but she and her 7-year-old son made it out of the car safely, according to WBKO. The woman’s 20-month-old son was lost in the water and was later found in the ice-cold waters through rescue efforts, WBKO reported.
The toddler was taken to The Medical Center in Bowling Green and eventually flown to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, where he died Tuesday night, the Daily News said.
Richardson told authorities she had driven across the flooded bridge several times previously and did not think it was that deep, according to WBKO. Richardson allegedly ignored a road closed sign when crossing the bridge, WBKO reported.
A search warrant was executed at Richardson’s residence Wednesday, and the Edmonson County Sheriff’s Office found a small amount of suspected marijuana and meth, according to the Edmonson Voice. Richardson’s medical records obtained by the sheriff’s office showed the presence of both drugs in her blood at the hospital following the incident, the Edmonson Voice reported.
Richardson was subsequently arrested and charged with murder, two counts of wanton endangerment, DUI, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, jail records show.
William Suttle, 56, was also charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia in connection to the drugs found at Richardson’s home, according to the Daily News.
In 2015, Richardson was charged and found guilty two years later of manufacturing meth and controlled substance endangerment to a minor, according to court records.
A Facebook page titled Justice for Carson has been created following the death of the 20-month-old boy. Many people have shared images of the boy and previous Facebook posts from her mother, which were deleted from her page.