Man charged with cruelty to juveniles after infant tests positive for cocaine, fentanyl

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB/Gray News) - A man in Louisiana was charged with cruelty to juveniles after police said an 11-month-old in his care tested positive for cocaine and fentanyl.

According to an arrest warrant, Farius D. Woodard was charged with one felony count of second-degree cruelty to juveniles following a police investigation that began on March 18.

Police said the infant was brought to an emergency room after choking or aspirating on food and becoming unconscious. Medical staff told investigators the child’s aspiration was likely caused by cocaine exposure, according to the warrant. Further testing showed fentanyl and cocaine in the child’s system.

The warrant states the child was in critical condition and required multiple life-saving measures. Police said the infant was sedated, intubated, placed on assisted breathing, and later admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit for further monitoring and treatment.

Investigators said Woodard and the child’s mother denied knowing how the infant was exposed to cocaine. Woodard also denied using or possessing cocaine, according to the warrant.

Police later searched Woodard’s residence and reported finding suspected marijuana, a Taurus 9 mm pistol with an extended magazine, two digital scales, another extended magazine, and items described as smoking devices.

According to the warrant, Woodard told investigators he had taken the child to Duchess Drive Park earlier that day and smoked marijuana while the child played in the sand. He told police he believed the child may have been exposed to cocaine at the park, but investigators said they later found that explanation was not credible.

Police said Woodard submitted to a urine drug test on March 20, and results received July 8 showed he tested positive for direct use of cocaine, marijuana and benzodiazepines, contradicting his earlier statement that he did not use cocaine.

Woodard was previously arrested March 26 on drug and firearm charges connected to the search, according to the warrant.

The arrest warrant for the cruelty charge was signed July 9.