Father arrested in Florida after toddler’s marijuana overdose, officials say

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – A Florida father has been charged with child neglect after his 15-month-old daughter overdosed on marijuana over the weekend, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said.

On Sunday, officers responded to a home in Bunnell after a man said his niece’s child, who was visiting his father, needed to be taken to a hospital for medical treatment.

It later emerged that the girl had been hospitalized because she had consumed marijuana that her father, 26-year-old Cody Spiegelhalter, had left at home.

When officers arrived at the home to speak with Spieglehalter, they found the house covered in trash, dog feces and urine. Nails and wiring were exposed, and the air conditioning was not working.

The father told officers he rolled a marijuana cigarette and put it away to go to the bathroom. When he returned, he said his daughter ate most of it and began having health problems, so he took her to the hospital.

Inside the house, officers found loose marijuana scattered throughout, “within reach of a small child,” along with mushrooms and THC wax.

The child’s current condition is unknown.

Spieglehalter was arrested on charges of child neglect without serious bodily harm and taken to a nearby jail without bail.

“This could have ended tragically. Thankfully, this child was removed from this very unhealthy environment,” said Sheriff Staly. “Because of his irresponsibility, this guy will never be Father of the Year, not even for a day, and he will spend his time at the Green Roof Inn where he belongs.”