Baby with Bong Picture Sparks Outrage; Mother Investigated, Say Reports

By: Caroline Black
Topics: Daily Blotter

(Facebook)

NEW YORK (CBS) Hats off to the Florida mother who posted a picture of her baby "smoking" out of a bong on Facebook.

Not only has she managed to outrage mothers all over the world, she has also gotten the attention of the Florida Department of Children and Families who have in turn launched an investigation into her parenting skills - or lack thereof - reports Sky News.

The 19-year-old mother from Keystone Heights, northwest of Gainesville, is defending the photo. She claims it was taken as a joke and posted on Facebook so that she could show it to one of her friends.

Newsflash! Facebook is a social networking website that hosts millions of members, including one concerned citizen who saw the photo and sent it to a Florida-based news outlet, says RadarOnline.com.

The photo has since been cruising through various media outlets leaving stunned viewers in its wake.

Eventually, the photo fell into the hands of the Florida Dept. of Children and Families which is now in the process of drug testing both the mother and the baby, says Sky News.

John Harrell the spokesperson for the group told Sky News, "We are alarmed that any parent would take pictures of their child next to what is obviously drug paraphernalia."

The unnamed mother has come forward and stated to Sky News via Facebook, "If u look at the picture u can see that there is no bowl in the TABACCO [sic] pipe...I would never ever ever let him get high."

If drugs were used by or found near the baby, she could face serious charges, and could possibly lose her 11-month-old son to the state of Florida.

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by phree_radical November 6, 2010 3:06 AM EDT: This should NOT be a big deal.; Reply to this comment


by shad0v0id1 October 9, 2010 3:06 AM EDT: thats pretty funny i know the mother of that kid; Reply to this comment


by shad0v0id1 October 9, 2010 3:06 AM EDT: thats pretty funny i know the mother of that kid; Reply to this comment


by dragonqwen August 6, 2010 6:36 PM EDT: hell yeah they should be investigated. you have proof right there that activities are going in that house hols that should not be going on. for one and for two i dont care if it is booze pot. these children do not have a choice on what they learn and these parents are the reason that the world is in the **** hole it is in. stupid ass mothers and fathers like this. these children deserve a fighting chance and with this **** beinf taught to them they are going to go now where.; Reply to this comment

by heybungalowbill August 4, 2010 2:32 AM EDT

Really? There have been hundreds of pictures taken and displayed on the Internet showcasing babies and toddlers holding bottles of alcohol, and even drinking out of them. But, oh no, as soon as an illicit substance is involved, it's child abuse and her baby might be taken away from her. Newsflash: marijuana is an all natural, God given plant referenced in the Bible.
Go ahead, look it up. Marijuana is responsible for zero deaths per year. While I do not in any way, shape, or form advocate giving drugs to minors, this outrage over a child playing with a clean bong is uncalled for.
Please, research marijuana. If you smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol but are against marijuana, you are a hypocrite. Thank you for reading.

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by Countryboyfm81 October 30, 2010 6:01 PM EDT: How do YOU know the bong was clean it didnt look clean, I dont care if 'POT' is natural or not it should not be used around babies


by momof4inoh August 2, 2010 11:41 AM EDT: Paying taxes on more than 2 children?.... Uh, we already do... We pay more taxes on the extra food we buy because we have more mouths to feed, we pay more taxes on the gas we purchase to fuel the vehicles we drive that fit more than five people, and while we are at it we pay more taxes on the vehicles too... we pay more taxes on the property we purchase to house and take care of the extra children we have... we pay more taxes on the extra clothes we purchase to dress our children... While I am against marijuana because IT IS ILLEGAL..., the picture is clearly meant to be humorous. And let's stick to the subject... having more than 2 children is not child abuse.; Reply to this comment


by lolimposting August 2, 2010 6:05 AM EDT: Ok so the baby obviously isn't doing drugs. I don't know what people are so upset about. If you look at his cheeks, they are blowing as you can tell because his cheeks aren't being sucked in. I don't even do drugs and I can tell. Seriously, this is stupid. To the baby it probably just looks like a funny toy to put his mouth on. As for worrying about the mom being a druggie, just because she has a bong now doesn't mean she has used it since she has been pregnant. I'm not defending her, I just think making assumptions out of context is a little ridiculous. Yay for leaving comments on the internet!!; Reply to this comment


by cassidyondra August 2, 2010 1:56 AM EDT: lines were made to be crossed; Reply to this comment


by jannerz July 31, 2010 11:14 AM EDT: I cant believe some people actually belive that the bong could of been for another purpose than drugs.....yea how many of you have em sitting on ur mantel for decor purposes! C'mon get real, ya gota bong ya got drugs....yea dont be too quick to judge the mother, lets wait till the kid is 9 or 10 then starts using alcohol then drugs...obviously she needs to get a life.; Reply to this comment


by yoy0lol July 30, 2010 2:58 PM EDT: Oh come on. I bet half of you guys smoke a pack of cigarettes around your children and don't think anything of it. I agree this is wrong but it's all out of humor. The baby isn't old enough to know what he is doing. Also, our society is way different then it was 20, 15, 10, even 5 years ago. Weed smoking is very common, face it, with everyone. I know parents, teachers, and even the members of the police force who are avid pot smokers. Is this any different then giving your children candy cigarettes? No. So lighten up. If you don't agree, you have every reason not to. But before you say this photo is child abuse, take a look back and realize this is 2010, where 19 year old girls are giving birth on the reg. and people smoke pot on the reg. Hey, at least this isn't a picture of a child getting beat with a belt. No, that would be old fashioned.; Reply to this comment