Cocaine was found inside a baby who was just 4-month-old and now its parents are being made to answer curious questions.
Somchai P. Lisaius and Krystin Rae Lisaius
Somchai P. Lisaius and Krystin Rae Lisaius, two former local TV personalities have been indicted in Arizona for child abuse.
According to PEOPLE, they were indicted after their 4-month-old baby was found with cocaine in its system.
A public information officer for the Oro Valley Police Department
says Krystin Rae Lisaius and Somchai P. Lisaius – both news
personalities in the Tucson area – were indicted June 9 on three felony
charges: possession of a dangerous drug, drug paraphernalia and child
abuse.
Both pleaded not guilty in court on Monday, and were released on their own recognizance.
Speaking with Tucson News Now about the development, the Lisaius’ lawyer, Michael Piccarreta, said “It would be a gross, gross injustice [with] even the mention of prison time.”
“I anticipate they will demonstrate that they have learned a
very hard, embarrassing lesson and that this will become a footnote in
their life, not a chapter.”
Police said they were alerted after the couple brought the baby,
who was showing signs of distress and appeared lethargic, to the Oro
Valley Hospital on May 15. The couple allegedly refused to allow a blood
test on the baby, who was then transferred to Diamond Children’s Center
at the Banner University Medical Center in Tucson by ambulance, police
said.
At Banner, a urine test was conducted after the parents again
allegedly refused a blood test, police said. Toxicology results showed
the presence of cocaine.
Krystin, 26, later allegedly admitted to Oro Valley authorities
that she ingested cocaine after a party at the couple’s home, police
said. She allegedly said she breastfed the child 12 hours later.
A friend identified only as “Thomas” told police that he allegedly watched Krystin “snort” the drug from the home’s master bathroom countertop after the party.
Thomas said he and Somchai, 42, allegedly also used cocaine during
the evening. Police said Somchai allegedly confirmed the recent drug
use, and, in a police report obtained by Tucson News Now, said he used
cocaine every six weeks or so.
A search of the couple’s home produced multiple samples of drug
paraphernalia, police said. Two small bags containing a white powder
substance found at the residence tested positive for cocaine, they said.
Somchai is a former reporter at Tucson News Now, the station
confirmed, and Krystin previously worked for nearby KGUN 9. Krystin also
competed in 2013 for the title of Miss Arizona USA, according to the
pageant’s website.
The baby was released from Banner Hospital within a few days of
being admitted, and was placed with the maternal grandmother. The
Department of Child Services is continuing to monitor the child’s
welfare, police told PEOPLE.
Krystin was granted 24-7 contact with the baby, and Somchai is allowed to see the child for 12 hours a day, according to KAUZ 6.
“Hypothetically,” Piccarreta said, “if the child
ingested cocaine through breast milk, then you gotta realize that
there’s different understanding as to when a recreational drug will be
out of your system.
“And if there’s a misjudgment as to how fast it’s out of your
system, then it’s an error that has been learned. It won’t be repeated.”
