Two men arrested after toddler dies from drinking methadone
Monday, 17 Mar 2008 12:08
A two-year-old boy died after drinking methadone
Two men have been arrested after a two-year-old boy died after drinking the drug methadone.
Brandon Davis was taken to Birmingham children's hospital after taking the liquid last week but later died.
Brandon's two brothers, Lewis, 3, and Kyle, three months, are also being treated for poisoning after ingesting the drug.
The two boys are believed to be in serious but stable conditions.
Methadone is commonly used by heroin addicts to help wean them off the narcotic. It provides a similar high but is considerably less addictive.
Police have said that two men, 30 and 33 years old, had been released pending further inquiries. They were arrested last Tuesday after West Midlands ambulance service was called to an address in Walkers Heath.
The 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of neglect, while the 33-year-old was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled drug.
A spokesman for Birmingham children's hospital told the BBC "He [Brandon] was brought in towards the end of last week.
"We are still treating the other two children who were brought in at the same time. The matter is being treated by the social service."
A statement from Birmingham city council said that it was "saddened" by the death of Brandon.
"Following the conclusion [of any legal proceedings] there will be a serious case review completed by the Birmingham safeguarding children board," the statement said.