Deputies claim crack traces found in home of tot who swallowed drug
Jamaar Thomas
Alexandra Thomas
GOOSE CREEK — The young family didn't draw much notice when they moved into a bottom-floor unit in the Spring Hill Apartments about six months ago.
Alexandra Thomas and her husband Jamaar seemed quiet, polite, well-behaved. They were quick with a greeting. Doled out candy to the neighborhood kids. Doted on their infant daughter.
"Both the mother and the father seemed very loving with her," neighbor Donna Rodabaugh said.
For some, that image seemed hard to square with news that the Thomas' 1-year-old girl had been hospitalized Tuesday after swallowing crack cocaine she found on the floor of their apartment. Adding to the shock: Deputies found traces of crack on the kitchen table and on the floors of that room and the living room, according to an arrest affidavit.
Alexandra Thomas, 25, remained in the Berkeley County jail Wednesday, charged with unlawful neglect of a child. Bail is set at $40,000 for Thomas, who has no prior criminal record, authorities said.
Berkeley County sheriff's deputies are still hunting for Jamaar Thomas, also 25 and wanted on a neglect charge. Unlike his wife, he has a lengthy criminal record, with multiple arrests on drug charges, as well as convictions for robbery and running from police, state records show.
The episode unfolded about 2 a.m. Tuesday when Alexandra Thomas showed up with her ailing daughter at a neighboring apartment complex where an off-duty deputy was working the gate. Thomas asked for help. The child lost consciousness and went into respiratory arrest, authorities said.
Emergency workers rushed the girl to Trident Medical Center, where a white powder substance was removed from her. Thomas told hospital staff that her daughter had been chewing on a bag containing a white powder substance before she became ill, according to a police report.
Authorities have described the girl's injuries as non-life-threatening, but further details were unavailable Wednesday.
Joseph Dobson, medical director of MUSC's pediatric emergency department, said it's uncommon, but not unheard of, for infants to accidentally ingest illicit drugs. In these cases, doctors mainly try to treat the symptoms and support the body as toxins work their way through. "You have to ride it out until the child recovers or doesn't," Dobson said.
The main factor is the amount of ingestion, said Fred Tecklenburg, a pediatric intensivist in MUSC's pediatric intensive care unit. The effects are the same as in older people: increased blood pressure, high heart rate, altered mood and neurological symptoms such as large pupils. These symptoms can progress to coma and seizures, he said.
Long-term effects from an infant who has a single poisoning are uncommon, Tecklenburg said, unless the infant has a severe reaction, including seizures and heart palpitations. Brain hemorrhage can lead to lasting brain injury. Cardiac abnormalities can also become chronic. "A child can have a heart attack from cocaine," he said.
Neighbors were stunned by the incident. Rodabaugh said Alexandra Thomas appeared to be a devoted mom, someone who was up early every day and held a steady job at Gene Reed Toyota in neighboring North Charleston, she said.
A co-worker, who did not give his name, said Thomas worked in computer sales and as a greeter at the dealership, and she was considered bright, energetic and well-liked. The co-worker, who knows Thomas' husband as well, said the couple represented the classic scenario of a nice girl attracted to someone with a "bad boy" image.
Jamaar Thomas' criminal record dates to 2000, when he and another man robbed a Taco Bell restaurant in North Charleston. In the years that followed that crime, he has been arrested and convicted of a variety of drug-related offenses, state records show.
In July 2004, sheriff's deputies arrested Thomas after he led military police on a chase through Charleston Air Force Base in a borrowed car with crack cocaine inside, authorities said. He was later convicted of failure to stop for blue lights.
Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556 or gsmith@postandcourier.com. Reach Jill Coley at 937-5719 or jcoley@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
This article has 37 comment(s)
Posted by LutherVanderhorst on March 6, 2008 at 12:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"The main factor is the amount of ingestion"
Really?
Posted by COFC2007 on March 6, 2008 at 7:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Those two ought to be kick in their Ass that is all i am going to say.
Posted by DanniD on March 6, 2008 at 7:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope the little girl is able to make a full recovery. A very sad story!
Posted by captivated on March 6, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Exactly how many crimes can you commit in NC before they put you away to do serious time? This is why there are so many repeat offenders around here. These people are back on the streets in no time. I'm praying for a speedy recovery for the child and that her mother and father never get close to her again.
Posted by disco on March 6, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like Alexandra got involved with the wrong man. Maybe she will learn from this - doesn't sound like the guy will ever change his life around though.
I just hope the little girl gets a good home...
Posted by RTC on March 6, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jamaar left Alexandra holding the goods.
Now, neither she nor her husband deserve the priviledge of being a parent.
I could feel a little more pity for her, but I truly believe that she knew there were drugs in that apartment.
The child had hold of a baggy of the stuff?
C'mon, why didn't she call 911 right away instead of traipsing all over the place with the child?
That baby is lucky to be alive, no thanks to either parent.
I hope that child is placed in a good home.
Posted by charlene68 on March 6, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope the little girl will do ok. I think the mother got mixed up with the wrong person and look what happened. I feel sorry for the child and hope they find the father. I just think that if she knew he was doing drugs, she should have left him if she was not involved.. She should have never had her child around that kind of stuff. I guess we all learn from our mistakes, I just hope it does not take anymore mistakes like this for her to learn from hers. However I am not saying that she was not involved with drugs, i jsut figured by her having a good job and not having any prior record and trying to be a good mom, that maybe she was not involved.
Posted by charlene68 on March 6, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ColdBeer.. I agree 100%
Posted by ln1959 on March 6, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This woman knew her husband deals drugs. Come on, they found the substance on the table and on the floor. He was preparing his bags for sale and she was sitting right there watching him. The problem is, she was coming off her high and didn't wont to call the police to her home.
That is why she did not call 911. Thinking they would not check her place. Neither one of these sorry a's need to have this child in there presents. I truly hope a family member who can give this child a good home, steps in and take this kid away.
Posted by ticket3477 on March 6, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The family members will just allow these two to still take care of the child once they are out of jail. I highly doubt anyone in this family would take true responsibility for their child esp. since it isnt their own. What a sad existence this child is going to have. Its unfortunate she was born into this family.
Posted by Test2007 on March 6, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ticket - I wouldn't discount the child right off the bat. There are people that have come from these same circumstances and have made it ok. There are people that come from the best homes and still don't do squat with their lives. Don't cut her down before she has a chance.
Posted by Perspective on March 6, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In 2000 he and another man robbed a Taco Bell? That would have taken a year even to get a guilty plea. What maybe in 2001 he gt a sentence. So then in 2004 he is in chase with police through the Air Base. That means he did no more than 3 years (if any) for Robbing the Taco Bell.
Great work on the part of the solicitors office! Whoever struck plea deals with this guy should have to visit the little girl.
You know how they sometimes send teenagers to visit the Emergency Room so they see the consequences of their reckless and dangerous actions? Maybe they should do the same with solicitors. Perhaps if Starbucks was beside the ER or morgue, prosecutors and lawyers could think about these deals while they are being struck.
Posted by ticket3477 on March 6, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
True...but the chances are slim. Esp. now that shes injested crack and it could seriously damage her cognitive skills.
Posted by Test2007 on March 6, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ticket3477 - There are babies born with FAS or born addicted to crack. Some turn out bad and some turn out ok. They usually all have a bit of health problems but let us wait to see what the future holds instead of telling her what her future will be.
Posted by forget on March 6, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you take into consideration the time of this incident, you notice the woman and the child still up. This is a sign she is using also.
Remember the child that drank the bleach? That mother used to keep her first born up all night while she partied so that the child would sleep most of the day.
can't give the child to a family member. That person will give the child right back to her when this thing cools down some.
What a man she found. He left her holding the bag (bag of crack) all by herself. Unfortunatly, when he gets out of jail, she'll probably be right there with him.
Posted by Perspective on March 6, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you want to see what the problem is got to Charleston County Courts:
http://www3.charlestoncounty.org:82/capt...
type in this guys name under defendants
then amuse yourself by clicking on the dispositions of the charges
as an example...
Imagine a General Session Cocaine Charge disposed of as Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (the level of a traffic ticket).
Geez.......citizen reports crime, police catch and arrest criminal, solicitors office... well this is where there is some confusion.... what exactly are they supposed to do?
Posted by Two_Sheds on March 6, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The most amazing thing about this story is that the couple were actually MARRIED.
Posted by Girleygirl on March 6, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Disco, RTC, and ln1959- you hit it right on the dot.
I think she knew he was a dealer as well.
Posted by devster on March 6, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
At least they were married, as Two_Sheds pointed out; trying to bring up a child together. The woman should never have gotten involved with such a low life. Now, her own career and chance to do well is severely hampered. Hopefully that once she does her time she can get back into the workforce and lead a productive life.
Posted by jrobinson on March 6, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
At least they were married!! They let their baby eat crack. They don't desreve a second chance to lead a productive life. It's one thing to chose to be a crackhead or dealer, but when you love money, or crack so much that you openly bag up, and get high while your baby is present, then you deserve whatever you get. The only person that deserves a second chance is this baby. But chances are the mother will fair off better than the baby. The baby could end up in the foster care system. The mother has a chance to do a little time, get out, and start her life over again without any childern. How fair is that?
Posted by theronce on March 6, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Admitting that I have no evidence, I suspect that their families knew and did nothing.
Posted by pompusmaximus on March 6, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree to some extent with LowcountryMoose. I have been pretty liberal in my thinking towards most issues, but this pisses me off. I would 100% support handing out free birth control to these savages, whatever the cost. People who have the financial and educational means to raise a child are no longer having as many kids. People who do not have the means to raise and support children have 4 or 5 of them.
Posted by eyeinthesky on March 6, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To make matters worse, The 1 year old was charged with minor in possession!!!!!! ;)
Posted by RTC on March 6, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
stand, you are right that we don't know all of the facts, but seriously even if she didn't have a phone, she went all the way to the next apartment complex. If I knew that my child was in trouble I would be banging on the first door I came to.
I used to work in the medical field, and believe me time is of the utmost importance in getting a child that has consumed anything harmful to an E.R.
They usually will insert a tube through the nose into the stomach, and place charcoal in their stomachs first off. This can often absorb a good deal of the drug before it gets into the child's system.
I just hope that this baby will be okay.
She deserves a better chance at life.
Posted by Iwonder on March 6, 2008 at 6:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Please there are to many non profit agencies that would have helped her leave him.
Posted by nenna_45 on March 6, 2008 at 6:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder when Jamar is found guilty of Child Endangerment will he get 25 years like illegals selling cocaine!!!!
Posted by BigNoct on March 6, 2008 at 6:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As I read some of these comments, I am truly disgusted. First off, I understand that the father is a criminal and actually, he needs to be put away. That is without question. However, you all don't understand the situation at home. I'm sure that the mother knew that there were drugs in the apartment but you all have no right to judge the mother. Here she is with tears in her eyes becuase she's hurting just like any of you would if you had a baby that was hurt. Doesn't matter how the child was hurt, it's just that she was hurt. Who gives you the right? Some of you all are don't understand these people's positions right now. She was in a bad situation and probably didn't have the courage or the means to leave. If you all had a spouse that you knew wasn't any good you probably would have the resources but maybe she didn't. You all are not judges. Stop casting judgement on something that you don't know anything about.
Posted by BigNoct on March 6, 2008 at 6:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And I am even thinking that some of these responses are borderline racist. I bet the majority of the posters here a White. Especially the one with the PACT comment. You're especially a clown. Lottery tickets, EBT cards, and proof that you never got a GED? Man go back to the trailer park. You're one of the reasons that racism still exist. Clown...
Posted by RTC on March 6, 2008 at 6:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BigNoct, I think that most everyone's concern is for the baby.
The point is that most people watch a 1 yr. old more carefully than she did. How many babies are running around after midnight chewing on a bag of dope?
Making excuses for this woman is not going to help her baby.
Do you know something about her situation? Please enlighten us if you do, as people would like to understand just what happened.
I have never seen you post before, so maybe you don't know that people always toss around opinions and theories in these forums. That is what blogging is all about.
Posted by BigNoct on March 6, 2008 at 7:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I understand that RTC and I appreciate your candor. I am from Berkley County and I personally don't know these two people so I'm not even biased about them. However, I am just reading these post and they disguss me. Not for the reason of posting. Just what some of these morons are saying. No one knows their situation. They've never heard a baby crying becuase he or she wants some milk or something to eat. The father has felonies. He's sorry, I know that. He deseverves to get whatever he gets. I hope they put him under the jail. He shouldn't have this stuff in the house in the first place. I guess I'm defending the mother. LowcountryMoose is a clown and I bet he's doing well sitting in a trailer with a truck sitting on 28's sitting outside draped in mud...
Posted by RTC on March 6, 2008 at 7:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BigNoct, I do understand where you are coming from. I agree that some of these posts are a bit racist, and I personally don't think that is right. I don't know if you read my final post on this article last night or not, but if you go in the archives and read it, you will see exactly how I feel.
Just ignore racist posters, as most them don't have anything better to contribute.
Some people's hatred will be their downfall in the end.
Posted by burton on March 6, 2008 at 7:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Stop filling up the Taj Mahal on Leeds Ave with people behind on child support and get rid of real criminals like Thomas!! These repeat offenders are destroying our communities!! Come on Solicitor's office!! We need you to stop plea-bargaining these cases!!!
Posted by sdjohnson on March 6, 2008 at 8:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
According to Scarlett Wilson, the reason they plea bargain cases is because they aren't sure they can get a conviction if they go to trial. That is from her mouth. Make of that information what you will.
Posted by rollo on March 6, 2008 at 10:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What the HELL was this child doing on the floor with a plastic bag in her mouth at 2:00 AM anyway? The BAG could have killed her!
Get her away from these clowns and place her with someone who cares about her. Someone who will care for her!
Posted by rollo on March 6, 2008 at 10:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My wife is looking at me and shaking her head "NO"!
Posted by burton on March 6, 2008 at 10:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yea, I'm tired of hearing that excuse. Guess what? The repeat offenders have heard that excuse too; hence, their repeat criminal activities!! They are laughing at the Solicitor's office and our justice system!!
Posted by AMAZING on March 6, 2008 at 11:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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