A Gainesville, Florida, mother is accused of partaking in a fatal drug binge with her child’s father in the presence of their 4-year-old daughter.
The Gainesville Sun reports that police arrested Taylor Perry, 23, Monday on child abuse charges. According to an arrest report, Perry was entering a rehabilitation program for her substance abuse issues. She allegedly decided to invite Joseph Bevins, 29, to a hotel room Sunday for “one last drug binge,” the report details.
Authorities note that Perry was already high on methamphetamine when she and Bevins checked into a Sleep Inn. The pair is accused of bringing cocaine, meth, fetanyl—and their young daughter—with them to the hotel room.
Though Perry went to sleep with her daughter, Bevins is said to have continued using drugs. The 4-year-old woke her mother up at around 5 a.m. Monday after noticing that Bevins wouldn’t wake up, authorities have indicated.
Realizing that Bevins had overdosed, Perry allegedly took her daughter and fled the room. It wasn’t until hours later that she asked the front desk to call an ambulance, the arrest warrant details. The child’s father was pronounced dead at 7:50 a.m.
Gainesville Police claim the 4-year-old had unfettered access to the drugs and paraphernalia that was left haphazardly around the hotel room.
Perry was arrested after coming into the station for a police interview. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has intervened amid an ongoing criminal investigation.
The 23-year-old is being held in the Alachua County Jail on a $40,000 bond.
[Featured Image: Alachua County Jail]