Toddlers from Helena were found with severe chemical burns and have been exposed to methamphetamine. The children's parents, Erin and Robert Morris are now facing felony charges after the incident.
According to KTVQ sheriff's deputies and medical personnel responded to a call on Jan. 14. Two 18-month-old children were reported having some chemical burns on their chest and legs, according to court documents.
The deputies and medical personnel were greeted by another person living with the family and the father, Robert Morris, led the deputies down to the basement where the incident happened. Deputy notes said that there are toys and animal feces scattered around their home.
The witness said the she was up with the children fixing their breakfast on the morning of the incident. Erin and Robert Morris were sleeping when the toddlers went downstairs to play after eating.
Shortly, the witness heard screams so she ran down the basement and saw the toddlers in the bathroom with burns on their clothes. She grabbed the toddlers without knowing what caused the injury and called 911.
The deputies found "Rooto," in the bathroom, which is believed to be the chemical that burned the toddlers. Rooto is a drain cleaner and has sulfuric acid as the main ingredient. They also found a Ziploc bag with white powder residue inside and confirmed to be methamphetamine.
The children received medical treatment in Salt Lake City. The deputies tested their hair, which were positive for methamphetamine.
The couple admitted that they had used methamphetamine in their house, but they are only using it in their bedroom. It is not clearly stated how exactly the toddlers were exposed to meth or the actual sequence of the events that led the toddlers getting burned with the chemical, KTVH reported.
Robert Morris is charged with criminal possession of dangerous drugs, criminal endangerment, fabricating physical evidence, and endangering the welfare of children. Erin Morris, on the other hand is charged with and endangering the welfare of children and criminal possession of dangerous drugs.
Meanwhile, here's a video on how sulfuric acid burns nylon:
