Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Dad kills 2-year-old son by giving him oxycodone (Carroll County, Kentucky)

Dad is identified as DOUGLAS ALLEN.

http://www.wlky.com/news/police-carroll-county-toddler-died-after-father-gave-him-oxycodone/24898712

Police: Carroll County toddler dies after father gives him oxycodone
UPDATED 6:19 PM EDT Mar 10, 2014

CARROLL COUNTY, Ky. —The death of a 2-year-old Carroll County boy was ruled a murder after toxicology tests came back showing oxycodone in his system.

Bradley Allen died last month and now his father, 26-year-old Douglas Allen, is accused of killing him.

Bradley's mother found him dead in his crib on the morning of Feb. 19.

She called 911 for help.

Police said there were no obvious signs of what happened.

"No charges were filed at that time. Interviews, obviously, were conducted with the parents, family members, things like that," said Kentucky State Police Trooper Brad Arterburn.

It wasn't until investigators got the toxicology test results that they arrested Douglas Allen.

"Toxicology showed the child had an extremely high level of oxycodone in his system," Arterburn said. "From what we found, neither parent had a prescription for any narcotic that had oxycodone in it."

Oxycodone is an opiate-based pain medication, usually in tablet form, given to adults.

"I've never heard of a 2-year-old being given oxycodone," Arterburn said.

Police can't say exactly what Douglas Allen told detectives when they questioned him, but they are confident in the arrest.

"It was on purpose. That's why we have the murder charge. We don't view it as an accident, but as far as whether it was get the child to quiet down or just something evil to do, that I can't answer," Arterburn said.

Police are holding back details for the court case against Douglas Allen.

He'll be arraigned Wednesday.

"Anytime this happens to a child, it horrifies everybody, but to find out it's the father charged with killing his own son. It's inconceivable to most people and that's what's the most disturbing thing about it," Arterburn said.

The child's mother does not face any charges.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and could result in more charges.