Teen babysitter accused of putting lit marijuana cigarette in toddler’s mouth

LARGO, Fla. (TCD) -- A 17-year-old babysitter faces charges after allegedly placing a lit marijuana cigarette into a 1-year-old child’s mouth.

According to a news release from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, on Thursday, March 23, deputies responded to a report of possible child abuse at a home.

At the scene, the Sheriff’s Office confronted the victim’s babysitter, Naledi Roberts, who "admitted to smoking marijuana near the victim," but she initially "denied placing the marijuana cigarette in the victim’s mouth."

Deputies were able to obtain security footage, which "shows Roberts placing the marijuana cigarette in the victim’s mouth." In the footage, the victim is reportedly seen inhaling while the "lit marijuana cigarette is in their mouth, and the embers begin to glow brighter."

On Friday, March 24, the Sheriff’s Office said Roberts was interviewed again and eventually confessed to placing the marijuana cigarette into the victim’s mouth while she was babysitting the child, but she didn’t explain why.

She faces one count of felony child abuse and was transported to the Pinellas Juvenile Assessment Center.

Roberts and the victim’s 16-year-old mother are reportedly friends.

MORE:

• Detectives Arrest Teen for Child Abuse — Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office