Mother charged with son's death in Medford, more than 18 months ago

MEDFORD — A mother has admitted to causing her baby's death by exposing him to an illegal drug in a home here, authorities alleged.

In a recent interview with police, 32-year-old Vanessa Hampton "acknowledged responsibility for causing [her baby's] death" in December 2022, says a probable cause statement for a manslaughter charge against her.

Hampton's son, identified only as a 10-month-old, was found unconscious on the afternoon of Nov. 27, 2022, one day after she had unsupervised contact with him at his caretakers' home, the statement says.

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According to the statement, Hampton used illegal drugs during her pregnancy, causing her child to be addicted at birth.

The baby was placed in the care of others after being discharged from the hospital, and Hampton would occasionally visit him, it said.

The statement does not identify the caretakers. However, it says police arrived at the baby's home on Nov. 27 to find the child's grandmother attempting CPR.

The statement says Hampton visited the home on Nov. 26 to get food, and was at one point alone with the baby in his bedroom.

Hampton appeared to be under the influence of drugs during her visit, a witness told police.

In her interview, Hampton "specifically recalled holding [her baby] and looking into his blue eyes," the statement says.

It contends Hampton left an illicit drug in an area where it could be ingested by the baby, "resulting in his death."

An autopsy found the baby died from exposure to xylamine, a horse sedative not approved for use on humans in this country.

Hampton told police she was a user of xylamine at the time of her visit to the Medford home.

Hampton, who also faces a drug possession charge, is awaiting extradition from Philadelphia to New Jersey.

The charges against her are only allegations. She has not been convicted in the case.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com.