ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A video of a 2-year-old boy using a vaping device while being babysat was posted on social media, and now charges are pending against two teenagers, Pennsylvania State Police said.
The video was posted on Snapchat, and PSP in Indiana County were alerted to it Sunday by a Safe2Say Something tip, authorities said.
Investigators said the toddler was being babysat Jan. 9 by a 17-year-old girl at a home in St. Clair Township, Westmoreland County, when he took the vaping device from a nightstand and began to use it.
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The 17-year-old and an 18-year-old woman who was also at the home allowed the boy to inhale from the vaping device while taking the video, police said.
According to police, the vaping device is believed to have contained 3 percent nicotine, but no THC.
The boy could be seen in the video coughing, but there were no other visible effects from inhaling from the vaping device, police said.
There is no family relationship between the boy and the two teenagers, authorities said.
The Troop A, Indiana Criminal Investigation Unit is aware of a video and is investigating the related incident in which a 2-year-old child was given a vaping device. The involved persons and child have been identified and charges are pending.@WTAE @KDKA @WPXI @WJACTV @WTAJnews
— Troopers Steve Limani & Cliff Greenfield (@PSPTroopAPIO) January 12, 2020
Police said the boy’s parents were not aware of the incident until police brought it to their attention. The incident was also reported to Children and Youth Services.
Charges of endangering the welfare of a child are pending against the two teenagers, police said.
United School District officials said they believe the teenagers in the video are students in their district. They gave Channel 11 News the following statement:
“The administration was made aware of the video, and we believe the two individuals are United students. Their names were provided to the authorities who are investigating.”
Channel 11 spoke to the child’s mother Monday.
“I’m disgusted. I’m very upset. I’m in disbelief they’d even laugh or have it in reach of a child’s possession,” she said. “I’m not trusting anybody anymore to babysit my child. I’m done. I don’t even want to put him in daycare. I can’t trust anybody anymore.”
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