Girl, 7, mistakes meth for candy, eats it: police

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. Authorities say a 7-year-old girl in Joshua Tree became critically ill after eating methamphetamine she thought was candy, and her parents were arrested.

A San Bernardino County sheriff's statement said Tuesday that 32-year-old Johnnie Glenn Koranda and 30-year-old Michelle Lee Beamer were being held on $100,000 bail.

Investigators say the girl appeared Friday at High Desert Medical Center with seizures, a severe fever and an elevated heart rate, and her condition was so severe she was flown to Loma Linda University Children's Hospital.

A urine test showed the girl, whose name was not released, tested positive for methamphetamine. She remained hospitalized but her condition is improving.

The San Bernardino Sun says Koranda and Beamer pleaded not guilty Tuesday to child abuse charges.

Their three other children are in county custody.