A couple, who are said to be former Arizona TV reporters, have been charged with drug-related charges after cocaine was found by health practitioners in their four-month-old baby's system.
CBS News reported that the couple is specifically from Oro Valley and police officials have identified them as Krystin Lisaius and her husband Somchai Lisaius. They have been indicted on charges of possession of a dangerous drug, drug paraphernalia, and child abuse on June 9. It is unclear why the reports have surfaced only recently.
Police officials who searched the home of the couple were able to find less than two grams of white powder or white residue. Also, drug paraphernalia were found inside their home. The two made their first court appearance on Monday.
Krystin reportedly worked at KGUN-TV while Somchai worked as a reporter for Tucson News Now. It is unclear when the two stopped working in the two stations but are said to be no longer affiliated with the stations anymore.
Health officials were able to find out that the baby had cocaine in his or her system after being taken to the hospital on May 15. Accordingly, the baby was breast-fed and appeared to be in distress. The baby appeared to be limp as well as his or her eyes were rolling a day after the parents reportedly snorted cocaine during a family gathering. The baby is now living with a relative.
Initially, the couple refused to test the child for blood and urine and transferred the baby to another hospital. They were again uncooperative so the Office of Child Welfare Investigations and Department of Child Safety got involved. Eventually, blood and urine analysis were performed.
The attorney of the couple, Michael Piccarreta, said in a statement, "It would be a gross, gross injustice (with) even the mention of prison time. I anticipate they will demonstrate that they have learned a very hard, embarrassing lesson and that this will become a footnote in their life, not a chapter."
