An infant found living on the streets is in the custody of state Child Protective Services after police say witnesses watched the child’s relative blow drug smoke into their face.
Seattle police officers arrested a 39-year-old woman on Sunday for investigation of Reckless Endangerment after witnesses saw her on the street in the 3600 block of 33rd Avenue South “smoking narcotics out of tinfoil and blowing the smoke into the baby’s face.” Witnesses also reported seeing the woman “toss the baby into her stroller instead of gently placing the baby into the stroller as one normally would,” according to the police report.
When officers arrived at around 6:30 p.m., they saw the woman lying on the ground holding the baby. The child, who was not wearing any clothing on its legs or even a diaper, did not appear to be moving. The woman had tin foil around her, as well as a lighter and tin foil with burn marks in her bag, allegedly from narcotics use.
When officers nudged the woman awake, the baby started kicking its legs, appearing to be conscious. The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) arrived and evaluated the child. The woman threatened to assault firefighters.
Police told the woman that multiple 911 calls were placed asking first responders to check on her. The woman declined assistance. When police and firefighters arrived the sun had set, and it was starting to get cold outside.
While officers investigated, the suspect became upset and combative. She kicked an officer in the leg several times. One of the woman’s legs was a metal prosthetic, and the officer who was struck sustained minor injuries.
The woman, who was arrested for investigation of Reckless Endangerment and Assault, had multiple pending arrest warrants for assault, property destruction, vehicle trespassing, theft, and making a false statement to a public servant. She was booked into the King County Jail.
The officers got the infant into the care of Child Protective Services (CPS).
Incident Number: 2025-291766