A Jefferson County jury in Alabama awarded $660,000 in compensatory and punitive damages against Baby Duck Academy, a daycare in Birmingham, after a nine-month-old girl was exposed to THC while under their care.
The incident occurred in June 2022, after the child became "virtually nonresponsive" while at the daycare and displayed symptoms such as hypothermia and altered mental state.
When her grandmother arrived to pick her up, the baby vomited a dark substance and quickly lapsed back into unresponsiveness. She was subsequently taken to the hospital where doctors confirmed THC in her system and admitted her to intensive care.
The allegations in the lawsuit included that another infant, also less than 11 months old, was exposed at the same daycare and hospitalized on the same day.
Baby Duck Academy is accused of failing to notify parents, provide adequate care after the exposure, or cooperate with investigators.
The attorney for the family states that staff did not submit to drug testing and withheld surveillance footage from the Department of Human Resources, refusing to clarify how the incident occurred.
Baby Duck Academy denied wrongdoing, claiming they had provided proper staff training and that the family had failed to mitigate damages.
The business is linked to Birmingham Board of Education member Sherman Collins Jr., who referred questions to the daycare's attorneys.
After a four-day trial, the jury found in favor of the family and rendered a verdict that was described by their attorney as a strong message about accountability and the dangers of exposing children to THC.
Source: https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2025/09/alabama-jury-sends-loud-message-with-660k-verdict-in-case-of-baby-exposed-to-thc.html
Commentary
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the primary psychoactive substance found in cannabis and is responsible for producing intoxicating effects in users. It directly affects multiple areas of the brain, disrupting processes that are critical for healthy growth and development in children.
When children are exposed to THC, particularly through ingesting high-potency edibles, it can lead to a range of harmful symptoms including impaired coordination, sleepiness that progresses to unresponsiveness, respiratory difficulty, hyperactivity, slowed breathing, and even coma in severe cases.
These symptoms are especially pronounced in children because of their smaller body size and undeveloped neurological systems. The toxic effects may last for more than 24 hours and, in some cases, can require hospitalization for intensive medical intervention.
Long-term consequences of THC exposure during childhood can include permanent deficits in memory, learning, attention span, cognitive development, increased risk of psychiatric disorders, and a higher likelihood of substance dependence later in life. THC exposure is known to damage healthy brain development and can result in delayed academic progress and ongoing emotional or behavioral problems.
Childcare organizations must implement rigorous safety strategies to protect children from accidental THC exposure.
This begins with comprehensive staff education about the dangers and toxicity of THC, clear protocols for handling medication, food, and personal belongings to prevent any cannabis-infused products from entering childcare environments, and strict supervision of all consumable items brought into the facility.
Organizations should foster transparent communication with parents about the risks and train staff to promptly recognize symptoms of possible intoxication.
Immediate action should be taken if THC exposure is suspected, including contacting poison control professionals and ensuring timely medical evaluation. Consistent record keeping, security cameras, restricted access to facilities, and routine staff drug screenings further promote safe environments.
The final takeaway is that child safe organizations must never ignore the risk of THC exposure and keep it far away from children.
