FORT WAYNE – A 7-year-old child was wrongfully identified by local hospital officials as having tested positive for a number of illegal drugs.
According to Allen County Prosecutor Karen Richards, the child’s test results showing methadone, marijuana and PCP were “false positives.” No criminal charges will be filed as a result of the test, she said.
Methadone is a synthetic opiate used to treat pain as well as heroin addiction. Commonly known as PCP or “angel dust,” phencyclidine is an illegal narcotic that can cause hallucinations.
On Feb. 27, the girl was brought into the emergency room at Parkview Hospital at Randallia Drive and East State Boulevard.
At the time, an official with the Department of Child Services tried to interview the mother, but she “refused to discuss anything,” according to a police report
The mother did provide some information about who had taken care of the woman’s children and who may have had “some responsibility” for exposing the child to the drugs found in her system, according to the police report.
But the test results now appear to have been in error.
“There apparently were issues with the accuracy of the test, and the hospital does not believe the tests were accurate,” Richards said.
A hospital spokesman confirmed that the 7-year-old’s test was a “false positive” but declined to comment further on the matter.
DCS officials confirmed they are involved with the case and have had contact with the family.
