Bucks Mom Faces Trial After Drugs In Breast Milk Killed Baby: DA

A Bucks County mother was ordered on Wednesday to stand trial on charges she fed her newborn baby breast milk that was tainted due to her drug addiction, leading to his death.

The charges of criminal homicide against Samantha Whitney Jones, 30, of New Britain Township, were upheld by a judge during the preliminary hearing.

The 11-week-old boy died on April 2 from methadone, amphetamine, and methamphetamine that was transmitted through her breast milk, the District Attorney said. Jones, who also has a 2-year-old son, was originally arrested on July 13.

>>Bucks Co Mom Killed Infant Son With Tainted Breast Milk: DA

In stating the case for trial, Deputy District Attorney Kristin M. McElroy said plainly that the baby had died because Jones had taken methamphetamine and amphetamine.

"(The drugs) had no business being inside that baby," she said.

Jones told police that she had been prescribed methadone because of addiction to painkillers, that she had taken it during her pregnancy, and that she was taking it at the time of the baby's death.

"We are not alleging that this was an intentional killing of this baby,” McElroy added. "But it certainly was reckless to know these drugs were in your body and continue to breast feed."

Jones' defense attorney Louis Buscio tried to have the charges dismissed by alleging that the breast milk itself had never been examined for drugs. But on a review of the evidence, Magisterial District Judge Lisa J. Gaier ruled that there was probable cause to go to trial.

Jones' other son remains in the custody of his father, her lawyer said.

Jones' bail has been set at $3 million. A formal arraignment is set for Sept. 28.

New Britain Township Police Department and the Bucks County Detectives are investigating the case.

With reporting from Patch correspondent Kara Seymour

Image via Bucks County District Attorney's Office