BAD BABY SITTERS

YOU JUST CANT LET ANYBODY KEEP YOUR KIDS,SPECIALLY CRACK HEADS... Two women whose Shepard Street drug operation led to the ingestion of drugs by a 20-month-old boy are on their way to state prison for a long time.

Criminal Court Judge Randall Wyatt has issued a written order sentencing Danita Wilson, 36, the aunt of the 20-month-old, to 37 years. Wilson was convicted June 20 of aggravated child neglect, possession of drugs for resale, evidence tampering, resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia, conspiring to possess drugs for resale, attempted aggravated child neglect, and reckless endangerment.

Judge Wyatt sentenced Tiffany Norman, 28, Wilson’s friend who also lived in the apartment, to 23 years. Wilson was convicted June 20 of child neglect, conspiring to possess drugs for resale, facilitating possession of drugs for resale, possession of drug paraphernalia, and attempted aggravated child neglect.

The investigation into this case by Youth Services detectives and the South Precinct’s Crime Suppression Unit began on March 3, 2006, when the 20-month-old was brought to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. Wilson, who was caring for the child because his mother was incarcerated for a cocaine conviction, reported that he had become very sick and was suffering from apparent seizures. A drug screen performed on the boy was positive for cocaine, Ecstasy, methamphetamine, and amphetamine. The state took immediate custody of the child. He remains in a foster home and is still impacted by the effects of the drug ingestion.

On March 14, 2006, South Precinct undercover officers executed a search warrant at the apartment. Found inside were 20 grams of rock cocaine, plastic baggies commonly used for cocaine resale, and a set of electronic scales commonly used to weigh drugs.

Judge Wyatt found that the sentences were the “minimum necessary to protect society.” Assistant District Attorney Brian Holmgren prosecuted