AJAX TOT IN HOSPITAL AFTER TAKING CLUB DRUG

Durham Police, CAS Probe Case In Which Two-year-old Ingested Ecstasy

AJAX -- Durham Police and child-protection officials are investigating
after a two-year-old girl apparently accidentally ingested a small amount
of liquid ecstasy.

The child was unresponsive when she was rushed by her 37-year-old mother
into emergency at Ajax and Pickering Health Centre about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Hospital staff were told she was suffering from possible poisoning after
ingesting a small amount of ecstasy, a street drug that can be deadly to users.

The Children's Aid Society and Durham Regional Police were called in to
investigate and subsequent toxicology tests "confirmed there was an illegal
street drug in the girl's system," said Sergeant Paul Malik, police spokesman.

He said investigators were told the child had taken a drink from a water
bottle believed to contain the illicit substance.

"She had spit out, but then became ill," said Sgt. Malik.

The officer would not specify the substance, however, sources indicated it
was believed to be liquid ecstasy.

The girl was transferred to the Hospital for Sick Children, where her
condition has improved. She is expected to recover, said Sgt. Malik
Wednesday, adding she is being held several days for observation.

"They want to monitor her for a couple days still," he said.

No charges have been laid in the case, although Sgt. Malik would not rule
out the possibility pending the completion of the investigation.

He said there were others in the residence at the time of the incident.

"Obviously it's a very serious matter.

"We're concerned for the safety and well-being of the child. We don't know
yet who owned the drug and how the child got her hands on it," Sgt. Malik said.