Montgomery, Pa. — An infant was admitted to intensive care after doctors say the boy reportedly ingested methamphetamine while under the care of his mother and her roommate.
Police say the infant was sweating excessively and had a rapid heartbeat and high blood pressure in late June when his mother came into the emergency room at UPMC Williamsport.
The infant’s urine came back positive for methamphetamine after the boy was transferred to Janet Weis Children’s Hospital at a Level 2 pediatric trauma alert, Trp. Brian Siebert said. An x-ray also showed a fracture in the upper portion of the child’s shin bone, Siebert added.
Morgan Elain Vanbuskirk, the victim's mother, and Rebecca Sue Aikey, a caregiver, were both charged with multiple felonies including endangering the welfare of children after an investigation by Pennsylvania State Police, according to a complaint.
The 24-year-old Vanbuskirk was staying with Aikey at a home in the 70 block of Thomas Avenue, Seibert wrote in his report. Aikey would occasionally watch the child for Vanbuskirk, who has primary custody of the child.
A search warrant was executed on the property on June 28 by Pennsylvania State Police investigators, according to the complaint. The 48-year-old Aikey was interviewed by police and said the following occurred:
The infant was returned to Vanbuskirk on Sunday by the father. Aikey claimed to be watching the child the morning after Vanbuskirk received him from the father
The baby was agitated and shaking and spent hours screaming and crying, she explained. Aikey called Vanbuskirk, who came back to the home 45 minutes later. Aikey claimed to be concerned for the baby.
On Tuesday, Vanbuskirk slept with the crying child on a downstairs couch. The uncontrolled crying made the baby overheat. Aikey said she took the boy upstairs to get a pillow.
Once Vanbuskirk awoke, she took him back downstairs. Aikey got a stroller ready. She said the child liked to go on walks, so she was hoping it would calm him. But as she tried to place the child into the seat, she dropped him on his head and left shoulder.
The child continued to scream and cry into the evening. Vanbuskirk left the home multiple times with the baby and struggled to get him to sleep.
Aikey held the infant from midnight until 4 a.m. the next morning before Vanbuskirk came back. Aikey slept in an upstairs bedroom while Vanbuskirk took the child downstairs. Vanbuskirk could be heard telling the child to stop as she cleaned the home.
At one point, Vanbuskirk went upstairs, telling Aikey of her plans to take the infant to the emergency room.
Police asked Aikey if there were drugs inside the home or an apartment she lived in on the property. She claimed there wouldn’t be any in her belongings.
According to Siebert, two plastic bags of methamphetamine, a syringe, six red and white capsules, and 15 yellow capsules were found.
Both women are being charged with aggravated assault attempts to cause serious bodily harm, aggravated assault victim less than 13 and defendant older than 18, aggravated assault victim less than 6 defendant older than 18, endangering the welfare of children, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both were denied bail during an arraignment on July 3.
Aikey and Vanbuskirk are scheduled to appear before Judge Kirsten Gardner on July 12 for a preliminary hearing on the charges.
Rebecca Sue Aikey docket sheet
Morgan Elain Vanbuskirk docket sheet
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