Mom Charged for Drugged Breast Milk

Posted: January 20, 2003 at 9:02 a.m.

"PERRIS, Calif. (AP) -- Prosecutors have charged a 30-year-old mother of three with second-degree murder after investigators said her infant son died when he ingested methamphetamine through her breast milk.

The prosecution of Amy Prien for the death of 3-month-old Jacob Wesley Smith could lead to the first conviction of its kind in California, according to legal experts.

"She knew the drugs were dangerous, but it was more important to her to have the self-gratification," said Deputy District Attorney Michele Levine. "Responsibility for Jacob's death falls at her feet."" [An edited version of this story was also filed by AP with the unfortunate lead sentence: "Authorities in California are accusing a
woman of killing her son through her breast milk." - JC]