Watch CBS News

Police: 4-Year-Old Brings Heroin Into Delaware Daycare; Mother Arrested

SELBYVILLE, Del., (CBS) -- Delaware State Police say a woman has been arrested after they say her four-year-old daughter brought heroin into a daycare and began passing it out to other children.

Troopers and medics were called around 11:45 a.m. Monday to the Hickory Tree Child Care Center on Hickory Tree Lane in Selbyville after daycare providers saw some children with small bags of an unknown substance.

Police say the white powdery substance, which was still enclosed in the bags, was removed by the teachers and immediately taken to the Selbyville Police Department where it was determined to be heroin.

According to police, a four-year-old girl unknowingly brought the small bags of heroin into the daycare in a backpack that her mother allegedly gave her after her backpack was ruined by a family pet.

Upon thinking the packets were candy, police say the girl allegedly began passing them out to her classmates.

Several children who came in contact with the unopened bags were taken to area hospitals as a precautionary measure and were released after being examined.

Heroin
(credit: Delaware State Police)

___

Police say a total of 249 bags of heroin weighing 3.735 grams was located in the backpack.

They say the mother of the girl, identified by police as Ashley R. Tull, 30, of Selbyville, was taken into custody shortly after being interviewed.

Tull was charged with Maintaining a Drug Property and three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

She was arraigned and released after posting $6,000.00 secured bond.

Police say a no contact order was also set in place with Tull's three children, all who are in the custody of a relative.

Detectives are continuing to investigate this case and police say more charges may be forthcoming.

Must Read Today's Top Talkers

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.