State v. Gray

I must respectfully dissent. Tammy Gray gave birth to Sierra Gray. According to documents filed pursuant to discovery, at the time of birth, appellee’s blood tested positive for the presence of cocaine. *519A like test result was found as to the infant child. Several days later Sierra Gray was hospitalized because of cocaine withdrawal symptoms. Thereafter, Tammy Gray was indicted pursuant to R.C. 2919.22(A) for child endangerment.

The effects of cocaine use by a pregnant woman on her unborn child are both devastating and well documented.4 I am satisfied that a woman who knowingly abuses cocaine…