Vigo County, Ind. (WTHI/CNN) — Four people arrested in connection to the death of a 9-year-old boy are now facing additional charges. That’s because the victim tested positive for meth.
9-year-old Cameron Hoopingarner passed away in February weighing less than 15 pounds. Now his autopsy shows he had methamphetamine in his system.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Roland Kohr says he doesn’t believe Cameron was being given meth directly. “If you give so many milligrams to an adult versus to a 14 pound child it makes a major difference. But again, this was essentially trace-levels but does tell us it was in proximity to someone using the drug.”
Vigo County prosecutor Terry Modesitt says the fact he’s a minor and had it in his system was probable cause for the charges to be filed. “I think it’s just, you know, a matter of us trying to bring justice in this case and making sure that, you know, if the case goes to trial that there will be, you know, 12 people that will have listened to all of the charges and will determine what if any criminal acts occurred in this case.”
Dr, Kohr says 20 years ago it wasn’t common practice for them to test children for drugs. But he says he wasn’t shocked when it came up in this case. “It’s unfortunate but unfortunately it’s not surprising given the nature of the case and what we know so far. We have people we know that were not providing proper care and this just takes it one step further. Uh, the carelessness and the lack of attention to the responsibilities of being a childcare provider.”
The four suspects are charged with neglecting a dependent resulting in death, maintaining a common nuisance and visiting a common nuisance.
Two of the suspects were the victim’s guardians, but none were biologically related to him.
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