Virginia Mom Charged With Murder After 4-Year-Old Son Dies From Eating THC Gummies

A Virginia mom is facing murder charges in connection with the death of her 4-year-old son, police say.

30-year-old Dorothy Annette Clements was charged with the death of her son by a Spotsylvania County Grand Jury on Monday, Oct. 17, said reports.

According to the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office, Clements’ son suffered a medical emergency on May 6, 2022, at a home in the 5400 block of Jamie Court. The boy died on May 8, 2022.

The child's death was investigated by the department’s Child Victims Unit. The detectives involved were able to find out from doctors that the child’s toxicity level was showing a “high level” of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the active chemical found in cannabis that produces a “high.”

Detectives determined that the child had ingested a “large amount” of THC gummies. Doctors told investigators that the child’s death could have been prevented if medical intervention occurred shortly after ingestion, the sheriff’s office said.

The media reached out to the sheriff’s department seeking more information regarding the amount the child ingested that led to his death. Major Troy Skebo could only say that the gummies contained “delta-8 THC,” which, according to the FDA, is one of more than 100 cannabinoids produced naturally by the cannabis plant but is not found in significant amounts in the cannabis plant.

The FDA says delta-8 THC products have not been evaluated or approved by the agency for safe use in any context and “should especially be kept out of reach of children and pets.”

THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol is the major psychoactive component and one of the 113 cannabinoids recognized in cannabis. A synthetic formulation of THC, dronabinol, is FDA approved to manage chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and for appetite stimulation in HIV/AIDS anorexia.

There is evidence that cannabis extracts were used by the Chinese as a herbal remedy since the first century AD.

Skebo told the media that Clements was giving inconsistent statements to investigators with evidence at the scene.

Clements' arrest took place on Thursday, Oct 20. She remains in custody at the Rappahannock Regional Jail under no bond.