Video After The Jump
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, Fla. - A picture of a Keystone Heights baby appearing to smoke a bong has caught the attention of the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Channel 4 was sent the photo and an image of the picture and comments about it taken from an unidentified Web site. It is not known how widely it was circulated.
The child-protection agency has launched an investigation on the 11-month-old baby's parents.
"We are alarmed that any parent would take pictures of their child next to what is obviously drug paraphernalia," said DCF spokesman John Harrell.
The 19-year-old mother talked to Channel 4 via Facebook. She said the pictures were a joke.
The message read, "If u look at the picture u can see that there is no bowl in the TABACCO (sic) pipe. And i took a pic to show one (expletive) person and it was a mistake. I would never ever ever let him get high."
DCF investigators said they have already been to the home twice.
"We would never leave a child in a home where there are concerns about whether or not the child is safe," Harrell said.
The mother told Channel 4 she has a drug evaluation Friday and the boy will be checked by a pediatrician. DCF said she could face serious charges if drugs were used by or around the baby.
In another message, the mother said she would never do anything to harm her child.
It read, "Do you realize how serious this is? i can go to jail and he can be taken away from me. WHY would you do something so (expletive) stupid? i know what i did was stupid but i would NEVER put by baby in harm. im (sic) so nice to everyone idk (I don't know) why you would do this to me."
No one has been charged.
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