Police have arrested a pair of TV personalities in Arizona. The couple, whose wedding was featured on the local news station, was charged with numerous counts of child abuse after their 4-month-old daughter arrived at the hospital and tested positive for cocaine. The pair of TV reporters, Som Lisaius and Krystin Sorich Lisaius, had reportedly snorted cocaine the night before but Krystin continued to breastfeed their infant daughter. However, after feeding the baby the next morning, the child began suffering from a host of concerning symptoms such as lethargy. Therefore, the couple took the baby to the hospital but refused toxicology tests. Eventually, the tests were performed and the child tested positive for cocaine.
The Daily Mail reports that former news anchor for KGUN-TV Krystin Sorich Lisaius passed cocaine on to her infant daughter through her breastmilk which led to the child falling ill after feeding. Krystin allegedly snorted cocaine with her husband and some friends one night during a party. However, the next day, Krystin woke up and breastfed her daughter the next morning. The mother claims that she thought that it was okay to breastfeed 12 hours after cocaine use and that she didn’t know it would be passed on to her infant daughter.
Good god…2 local Tuscon TV reporters arrested after their 4-month old tested positive for cocaine: https://t.co/fokn9TYD7g
— James Koh (@JamesDKoh) June 28, 2016
However, Krystin was wrong and the cocaine made its way into the baby’s system via the breastmilk. As a result of the cocaine, the child became ill and was unresponsive and suffering from severe lethargy. Krystin, along with husband Som, rushed the baby to the hospital but did not inform hospital staff about the possibility of cocaine as a cause. Instead, Krystin reportedly continued to breastfeed the infant in the hospital despite the cocaine use the previous night and refused toxicology tests that hospital staff requested.
“It should be noted that at no time according to the report did either parent tell the hospital staff about the mother’s cocaine use the night before and Krystin continued to breast feed while at the hospital.”
Eventually, the TV couple took the child out of the hospital and refused medical treatment and testing. The couple reportedly took the child away when hospital staff pushed to have blood drawn for the toxicology test which the pair were adamantly refusing. Though the parents removed the child from hospital care against medical advice, they did agree to the hospitals request to transfer the baby to a different hospital.
Once at the new hospital, the staff once again agreed that the baby needed blood drawn for a toxicology test. The parents once again refused but this time, the hospital called officials with child welfare to witness the drawing of the blood. The toxicology was performed and cocaine was found in the child’s system. Som and Krystin Lisaius initially denied knowing how the cocaine could have gotten in their daughter’s system but later admitted to the breastfeeding following a night of cocaine use.
Arizona TV reporters indicted on child abuse and drug charges https://t.co/MtSBIhje55
— Matthew Keys (@MatthewKeysLive) June 27, 2016
According to the Arizona Daily Star , a friend who was at the party with the Lisaius couple says that Krystin did snort some cocaine but that she did “one line tops.” The couple notes that they only do cocaine about once every six months but search warrant for the family’s home was issued and police found 1.59 grams of cocaine in the home along with a scale, an empty plastic baggie with white residue, and a Tiffany and Co. jewelry box with a rolled-up dollar bill with residue inside of it.
Krystin and Som both tested positive for cocaine use and were eventually charged with multiple counts of child endangerment and child abuse. However, the couple’s attorney Michael Piccarreta says that the “act” is not really who this couple is and that they are working with the child welfare services to prove they are good parents.
“We all make mistakes. We all have done things we regret. The facts are that these are excellent parents, the child was well taken care of, the child was never harmed and is responding beautifully. They’re going through the process to demonstrate to everybody that they’re fit, excellent parents and this incident will never be repeated.”
Both parents have pleaded not guilty to the charges but the baby is currently placed with her maternal grandmother. Mother Krystin has 24-hour access to the baby while father Som can visit with the baby 12 hours per day. Both are slated to appear in court on July 28. Following the incident, Som Lisaius has been terminated from his employment with KOLD-TV.
[Image via Tuscon News Now/KOLD ]
