Woman charged with giving child alcohol

A Russellville woman was arrested last Tuesday after her five-week old child was reported to have alcohol in its system, officials said.

Katherine Taylor Putman, 19, Charles Place Apartments, Russellville, was arrested and charged with first-degree domestic violence, Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett said.

According to Hargett, emergency medical personnel received a 911 call to Charles Place Apartments in Russellville stating there was a five-week old baby that was unresponsive.

Hargett said when emergency crews arrived at the apartment, they discovered the infant was responsive but still transported the child to the Russellville emergency room.

Police investigator Lt. Scotty Lowery said law enforcement was contacted by medical personnel who stated they had reason to suspect the child could have been in a negligent situation.

“Medical officials said they had detected the smell of alcohol coming from the infant,” Lowery said.

“We arrived at the hospital with a portable breathalyzer test, and when we placed it near the infant’s mouth, we actually got a reading. This of course immediately raised some red flags for us.”

Lowery said they contacted the Franklin County Department of Human Resources and medical personnel did blood work on the infant.

“When we got the results from the blood work, we found out the child had a blood alcohol level of 0.283,” Lowery said.

“While investigating, we discovered the mother apparently mixed vodka with the child’s cereal and the child ingested the vodka.”

Lowery said they are unsure of whether the act was intentional or just neglect.

Putman has been released from custody on a $50,000 bond.