Two arrested after autistic child found in parking lot, exposed to fentanyl
Nov 15, 2024
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The parents of an autistic child found alone in a parking lot in Trumann, Arkansas have been arrested after the child tested positive for fentanyl exposure.
On October 24, officers responded to reports of a small child seen alone, wandering around near the Pizza Hut on Turmann. When officers arrived at the scene, reports say they found a child who was "dirty and unable to communicate."
A good Samaritan is credited with finding the child.
Around 5 a.m. Oct, 24, Todd Whitlatch and a friend were headed to work when Whitltatch spotted a young child alone in this parking lot near the Trumann Pizza Hut. Thatch said the pair quickly stopped to help.
"We got her to come to us and we just picked her up and held her till we could get some assistance and find out where she belonged," Whitlatch said.
The child's parents were identified as Quinterio Holman and Camille Barker, who were both on probation at the time.
Police say they were found inside the Boutique and Coffee Lounge in the same building, where they lived off and on. Barker owned the business.
Left to right: Quinterio Holman and Camille Barker (Photos courtesy of the Trumann Police Department)
After searching the area, the Trumann Police Department determined that the child's parents had left the door to the building unsecured, "posing significant risks to the child who was diagnosed as autistic."
The child was then placed in the care of the Department of Human Services.
The next day, the child was taken to an area hospital "due to extreme drowsiness and difficulty staying alert", reports say.
The child tested positive for fentanyl and a hair follicle test conducted on November 1 confirmed that the child experienced prolonged exposure to fentanyl over a three-month period.
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Holman and Barker were each charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Minor 3rd Degree, Endangering the Welfare of a Minor 1st Degree, and Introducing a Controlled Substance into Another's Body.
They were taken into custody on Wednesday and are being held at the Poinsett County Detention Center. Police say drugs thought to be fentanyl were found on the pair when they were arrested.
Holman's bond was set at $75,000 and Barker's at $100,000.