Sheriff: Toddler Tests Positive For Meth After Drinking Grandmother's Laced Tea

GARNER VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — A 51-year-old woman faced felony child endangerment charges Tuesday after her 2-year-old granddaughter accidentally drank tea she allegedly laced with methamphetamine.

Cynthia Watson, of Oregon, was arrested Sunday for endangerment and possession of methamphetamine, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said.

The investigation into Watson began Monday when deputies were called out to a home in the 31000 block of Pine Street in Garner Valley.

Deputies learned the child's mother was trying to put the 2-year-old girl to bed Saturday night, but she would not fall asleep.

"Her daughter was talking rapidly, scratching her skin, could not sit still and was very agitated," Sgt. Craig McDonald said.

The woman then took the girl to the hospital where she tested positive for methamphetamine in her system.

Investigators later found out that Watson was staying with the family and had made a cup of tea laced with the drug in order to get high, Sgt. McDonald said.

"At some point the cup of methamphetamine-laced tea was left unattended on a counter, when the two-year-old victim took the cup and drank some of the contents," he added.

Watson was arrested and is being held on $35,000 bail.

The girl was released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.