Posted on 02/23/2008 9:14:22 AM PST by Hat-Trick
Child tells Omaha police how she used marijuana
BY TODD COOPER
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
The girl sat down, told investigators she smokes pot and, using a pen, demonstrated how she does it — just like her mom.
The girl is 4.
Now, her mother, Lisa Schuchard, 25, is facing a felony child abuse charge — and a hearing on her parental rights — on allegations that she taught, and encouraged, her daughter to smoke marijuana.
Schuchard has pleaded not guilty and is in the Douglas County Jail. Her attorney, Douglas County Assistant Public Defender Doug Johnson, said he couldn't comment because he hasn't had a chance to speak with Schuchard in depth.
According to police and court reports:
Someone called Child Protective Services to complain that Schuchard's 4-year-old girl and 2-year-old boy were filthy dirty and that drug paraphernalia was strewn about Schuchard's home near 34th and Hamilton Streets. The caller also complained that the kids were forced to sleep a lot — and that Schuchard and her live-in boyfriend, Christopher Gladden, were "always sleeping."
On Feb. 12, Omaha police went to the home and found the children within reach of drug paraphernalia.
They also found a large bruise on the 4-year-old's right cheek and several bruises on her buttocks and upper legs.
The girl told police that Gladden hit her repeatedly with a belt — and slammed a door in her face, causing the knob to bruise her cheek.
The 4-year-old then gave this account of the marijuana use to detectives, according to police and court reports:
She described Schuchard and Gladden, 23, smoking "joints."
The 4-year-old said joints are brown and have green "weed" inside. She said weed also can be smoked from a bong and a pipe.
The 4-year-old then "demonstrated (very well) how she smokes from a 'joint,' 'bong' and 'pipe' during the interview," an Omaha police detective wrote. "She said that her mother and Chris give both her and her brother the weed to smoke.
"(She) said that she smokes in front of her mom and Chris' friends and that they laugh when she smokes."
Police have no evidence the 2-year-old boy actually used marijuana, but both he and his sister have been placed in foster care.
Authorities have scheduled a medical exam in which they plan to test the girl's hair follicles for the presence of marijuana.
An initial hearing on the mother's parental rights is next week.
Before the girl told of her marijuana use, Schuchard and Gladden had been charged with misdemeanor child abuse.
Gladden immediately pleaded guilty to four misdemeanor counts — and was sentenced to six months in jail.
Deputy Douglas County Attorney Steve Gabrial said prosecutors cannot increase his charges to felonies because it would constitute double jeopardy.
However, Shuchard now is charged with a felony. If convicted, she faces up to five years in prison.
Gabrial, who has specialized in child abuse prosecutions for the past five years, said he has seen cases of children ingesting their parents' drugs — typically, their pills.
But rarely on purpose, he said, and never this young.
Heard about a guy that heard his son screaming, so he ran outside to see what was wrong. Kid had made lines of sand on the porch and snorted one. Monkey see, monkey do.
Chronic use of marijuana in adults promotes learning disabilities. Imagine what it will do for a four year old.
I’m hoping she was like BJ Clinton and didn’t inhale.
OMFG
In 1979 I gave a lift home to a maintenance mechanic we employed for heavy mining equipment. He invited me in for a beer, and as a twenty something adult, beer was a major food group.
After a few, he asked if I minded if he and his wife lit a “left-handed” cigarette. That’s when the sickness began. As they were getting stupid; their toddler, I don’t know how old, could walk but not talk clearly enough a non-family member could understand entered the room and the mother handed the little boy the joint and said take this to daddy “little Fuzz.” While he was waddling towards dad, mom said, go ahead little Fuzz, take a hit. That little guy put the doobie to his lips took a big draw and coughed his lungs out which elicited belly laughs from everyone in the room...except me.
To this day almost 30 years later the vision of that little kid trying to impress mom & dad by puffing on a doobie and tobacco cigarette too, is just as vivid as the day it happened. I was so appalled that I complained to our GM the next day but nothing happened because the employee was a “top notch” mechanic the company didn’t want to replace over hearsay evidence. I should have called the cops on the spot.
I just keep thinking about the millstone the Good Lord Jesus referred to.
Holy Crap. The epitome of “trash”.
More and more kids are on drugs ... anti depressants - via prescription and they DON’T KNOW the impact on a developing brain. Never mind that these drugs alter the chemicals in the brain and ENCOURAGE suicide.
This next generation will be a dozy. Very scary out there. Of course when they act out as each of the school shootings have done, NO ONE looks at the DRUGS they took or have TAKEN that have had a chemical hand in screwing them up. NOPE! Drug companies just come up with MORE drugs.
The problem is a troubled soul. NO drug will cure that. That problem takes time to work out with HUMAN BEINGS; not chemicals. Then again, in our selfish narcissist society it's easier to shove a pill in the mouth of someone that is troubled in our rushed world.
Frankly, it's perfectly NORMAL to have days when we feel "blue" when events don't go our way. That when FRIENDS and FAMILY should step in to lift us up. Ideally pray to God for His help. Instead we want to handle it ourselves through pills or drugs like marijuana. Bandages for neglected soul issues.
Yes ... He doesn’t look kindly on this stuff.
He just might be coming soon ... . A bitter sweet time. We’re sad for those that don’t know Him and refuse Him.
Normally this kind of stuff happens across the river in Council Bluffs.
Well, there you go. The 4-year-old was smoking medical marijuana for pain under her parent's supervision. Certainly we wouldn't deny the medical benefits of marijuana to children, would we?
Yup, that story about the video game playing couple was really sad...was hard to sleep that night after reading about that :-(
On a related note to what you posted, I saw a Frontline a couple of weeks ago about children on drugs. I know most FReepers would have been pulling out their hair if they had watched it with me.
They showed one poor little boy when he was about 4. Seemed like a normal 4 year old boy to me—running around, active. The parents eventually had him on 7-8 drugs at ONE time. Now the boy is a teenager and he has a permanent thing where he rolls his head sporadically—he can’t control it. And the parents STILL have him on multiple medications. The boy’s life has been ruined!
They said the new thing is all these kids are bi-polar. We all remember the little girl not too long ago that died at 4 YEARS OLD! because of what she was taking. Well one family in this Frontline episode saw that story on the news. So they went to the psychiatrist/drug pusher/Dr. Frankenstein to see if they should have the boy’s dose lowered because he was on the same meds as the little girl that died. They walked out of there with a new, different prescription. This boy was also on many different drugs.
These kids are guinea pigs. It made me so upset. I’m so glad that our family resisted considerable pressure to get our oldest son on medication. It’s been hard but I’d rather just deal with an un-medicated hyper butt child, than experiment on his brain.
Needless to say, I’m not a pill popper. I have to have a severe headache even to take some pain reliever. I’m not against all medication, but we’ve got a society now that doesn’t want to feel a moment of discomfort—physically or emotionally.
People with a drug problem (which I’m guessing is the case) have lost sight of preserving their own life so its not surprising that their responsibility to others, even children is lacking.
Consider, for example cigarette addicts who smoke where children have to breath it or insist they have the right to use their drug in a way that forces other to either leave public spaces of consume the drug too. or Alcoholics who keep driving drunk after being caught and knowing they put other’s lives at risk. Since they are risking their own life its not that big a stretch to put others at risk too.
I don’t think drugs should be illegal...the war on ‘some’ drugs is misguided, but giving drugs to kids is pure EVIL!
When I was a kid in the 60’s LSD was legal... the local head shop that sold water beds, black lights and posters always had a box of sugar cubes laced with a dose of LSD on the counter and passed them out for free...even to children! Looking back on it I think the owners should have been strung up for doing such a thing :-(
That was awful. Reminded me of the couple around Christmas somewhere up in the Northwest that shot her whole family to death including her very young niece and nephew. I know not the same crime, but that same creepy feeling about the couple. There is some seriously messed up young people out there.
“Needless to say, I’m not a pill popper. I have to have a severe headache even to take some pain reliever. I’m not against all medication, but we’ve got a society now that doesn’t want to feel a moment of discomfort—physically or emotionally.”
Exactly.
Just look at Hollywood - that Ledger guy ... same thing - multiple prescriptions and they clashed. He couldn’t handle REALITY. Yes, divorce hurts. We all have emotional disappointments but pills are not going to take them away. People need to deal with them soberly otherwise we will see more and more insane behavior and horrific consequences.
ALL of these anti depressant are SUBJECTIVE. There are NO TESTS that show this imaginary “chemical imbalance”. It’s just another way for people to feel that escaping their problems through mind altering drugs is okay.
Sometimes life is tough. Sometimes like IS unfair. That’s when you really need God, friends and family to lift you UP and help you overcome disappointments.
...Or Hillary?>
...or (gasp) Kucinich?
...or Ron Paul?
Definitely NOT FRedheads.
Cheers!
Read the description by FReeper myprecious
I saw this repeatedly in Jamaica...it’s part of being a rasta...kid.
I am surprised the PC gestapo hasn’t stepped in to defend the “mom” - she’s probably not a rasta...but maybe in training perhaps?
Yup, that story about the video game playing couple was really sad...was hard to sleep that night after reading about that :-(
You said that story kept you from sleeping. I know what you mean. After reading that terribly sad story about how that todler died, the only way I could get it off of my mind was to “get prayed up”. That is, I had to ask God to help me not dwell on it, and ask to be shown what I can do to help.
Good luck on your getting past this. We need a fair and swift Justice System. We need a swift death penalty for murder. And this country needs to abolish abortion completely. This is the slippery slop that pro-lifers have been warning the country about — the worth of a child’s life has been devalued by abortion.
I know many parents that have given their young children alcohol as well, so I guess we should outlaw alcohol and anyone who drinks alcohol is likely to abuse their kids /sarcasm.
Wow, Doctor!!! I didn't know that the spinal tap and brain scan info had been thrown out. Please provide the citation of this new evidence!!
I never took meds but started eating healthy instead. It worked in my case but doesn’t for everyone. The brain is very uncharted.
Disappointments and problems in life have nothing to do with it. A depressed person hates life and doesn’t feel like living. A bad event can push them over the edge but they always have that feeling inside.
I almost lost my battle and it was during what was supposed to be the happiest time.
“Wow, Doctor!!! I didn’t know that the spinal tap and brain scan info had been thrown out. Please provide the citation of this new evidence!!”
LOL!!!
The “evidence” speaks for itself.
“Chemical imbalance” is just another money maker for the doctors and pharms. It’s all about SUBJECTIVE VOLUME. $$$$$$
"Saying you understand depression because you have felt down is like saying you understand blindness because you have blinked."
The funny thing is, the folks who do it don't realize how foolish they seem.
Yes, it does.
It quite clearly demonstrates how wrong Scientology and the other anti-psychiatry nuts are when they claim there's no physiological basis to clinical depression, etc.
Cheer up! I don’t know of a soul around that hasn’t had something happen in their life that wasn’t sad or depressing. I find it OUTRAGEOUS that doctors and pharms. EXPLOIT this in such a dangerous way.
There is NO “chemical imbalance”. That’s BUNK.
I don’t mean to be cruel to you, but your opinion is wrong. It’s OKAY to admit to a fellow human being that from time to time life is sad or something has depressed you - it’s NORMAL to have times like that. How you solve the problem will make the difference. TALK to a human being who CARES about YOU. Don’t reach for a PILL to escape reality.
How many people does it take to die before people realize that it’s NOT about a “chemical imbalance”? Look at the gay cowboy, Ledger - every time he had a less than stellar moment - he took a pill - to sleep, for energy, for “depression” etc. . Finally the cocktail KILLED him. It’s too bad no one gave a dam to let him TALK to them and really LISTEN and try to help him resolve his personal issues soberly - not drugged up.
“Saying you understand depression because you have felt down is like saying you understand blindness because you have blinked.”
The funny thing is, the folks who do it don’t realize how foolish they seem.
Idiot logic!
Straight logic for you:
I don’t have to have an abortion to know that it is WRONG!
Every one has had their sad times. People get through it in a healthy way with the help of God, family and friends. NO PILL will give you that kind of help. Pills won’t do it for you.
They have EVERYTHING to do with DEPRESSION!
Clearly you don’t understand depression. In EVERY situation there is a REASON for the depression. Every single situation! Perhaps they have low self esteem. Perhaps it is a divorce. Perhaps they lost their job. There is ALWAYS a reason for depression. ALWAYS! It most definitely NOT a “chemical imbalance” - that’s pure bunk.
You really have no clue about the difference between sadness and a physiological response called “Depression”...
It’s like you don’t know the difference between a cut and bleeding, or getting hit and swelling.
But hey, you’re the expert on these medical things that you claim are bogus. I am just DYING to understand what parts were in error. The lumbar puncture procedure, the 5-HT analyses...what was it?
ROTFLOL!
Now I get it... You’re not really an idiot...you’re just doing a spoof.
Hehehe... how about this one....
Nobody’s handicapped...they can just get up and walk if they want to!
Or ... nobody has diabetes...they just don’t want to stay concious!!! This chemical imbalance thing is just bunk to sell insulin!
Hey, this is pretty funny!
No, you are clueless.
“It’s like you don’t know the difference between a cut and bleeding, or getting hit and swelling.”
Yaawwnnnn trying to belittle someone gives you LESS credibility. You already have little ... .
“But hey, you’re the expert on these medical things that you claim are bogus. I am just DYING to understand what parts were in error. The lumbar puncture procedure, the 5-HT analyses...what was it?”
You are more than welcome to advocate drinking the Koolaide or popping pills to get through life. Maybe this justifies your need for meds. The reality is there is a soul issue going on when it turns into “depression”. No chemical will solve that problem. As soon as the chemical wears off, they get that terrible “feeling” again and need another pill.
There is little difference between an alcoholic and an anti depressant pill popper. The reason is the same, MASK REALITY instead of DEALING with REALITY.
I do hope you never, ever take another pill in your life.
Unless you can find one to help your reading comprehension or paranoia.
Now I get it... You’re not really an idiot...you’re just doing a spoof.
Hehehe... how about this one....
Nobody’s handicapped...they can just get up and walk if they want to!
Or ... nobody has diabetes...they just don’t want to stay concious!!! This chemical imbalance thing is just bunk to sell insulin!
Hey, this is pretty funny!
Mocking others who disagree with you says allot about YOU. Using legitimate imbalance to have you feel better about an imaginary imbalance is like comparing apples to oranges. Don't be so desperate - take YOUR MEDS. It doesn't bother me - just trying to point out the truth about chemicals that MASK the reason for the "depression".
When a person has diabetes, they can see that through testing. As for “depression” and “chemical imbalances” it is SUBJECTIVE. I’m sorry you don’t see the difference and are being dishonest about this. I suspect you are on antidepressant and NEED to believe in this imaginary “chemical imbalance”.
Thank goodness! For a minute there I thought that four year old was smoking a...a...a...cigarette! *SMIRK*
BZZZZZT! Thanks for playing.
LOL!
The BATFE is deeply saddened that they didn't get to play.
Look up pharmaki - it's where we get the word Pharmacy from ... in Greek - you'll need to check the spelling. Mind altering drugs aren’t acceptable. Also if you’re really interested look up sorcery in the Bible and then in a Concordance to see how it is used in various passages - it’s quite an eye opener.
Funny NO ONE in the Bible had to use antidepressant to “feel better” and many had legitimate reasons to be depressed ... and were ... and over came it.
Going along with your “logic” ... I suppose arsenic, a natural substance should also be taken to enhance your “health”? LOL! Just because it exists doesn’t mean it’s good for you ... .
That many people like the side effect is neither here nor there; the components of cannabis target several different physical problems, therefore was prescribed by the medical people of the day.
Show me some passage that condemns things that have a euphoric effect. Show me a prohibition of "mind-altering" drugs. Do not use alcohol. We have and use alcohol now, as have in all our history.
Funny NO ONE in the Bible had to use antidepressant to “feel better” and many had legitimate reasons to be depressed ... and were ... and over came it.
Are you saying that to live a Christ filled life, believing in His Gospel and drawing faith from that belief, you're required to experience natural pain, and endure it without remedy for its duration, when there is a plant that will ease it?
Are you saying that to live such a life, one must not feel physical euphoria, even that caused by a plant?
Why would you think Jesus would require that, when He said love your neighbor, and He Himself healed many from much greater pain.
I suppose arsenic, a natural substance should also be taken to enhance your “health”?
Well,noooo, arsenic is known to kill people except in precise measured doses tailored to the body mass of the person taking it. That mineral along with other herbs and potions will do harm and kill others, used by "sorcers" which practice is comdemed by Paul.
Are you tracking, here?
I didn’t bother to read your response. It's just more nonsense so
have the last word!
Alcohol is more mind altering than marijuana is. It's also got a far higher intoxication and addictive rate than marijuana. I do agree with most of your belief on all the cocktail medications being passed around so freely. I (and my parents did after a while) saw what it was doing to my brother growing up (ADHD/ADD was just getting popular then in the early 90s) and took him off it. I've seen cocktail drugs do as much harm as good, if not more harm.
I had to double check the subject of this thread. I was right. It's about marijuana, not alcohol.
If smoked marijuana is medicine, then why do we restrict it to those 18 and older in the states that allow it? Do you know of ANY other medicine that's restricted like this?
I really hate to think of poor, sick, little 4-year-old Tommy who's suffering because mean ol' rb22982 won't share his medicine. Where's your compassion? I thought you cared for the sick and dying?
Gosh. Maybe this "smoked marijuana as medicine" IS the scam that everyone says it is, huh?
The time I was most depressed, everything was going ‘great’ but it didn’t feel that way.
It hit me the hardest when I realized there was no reason to be depressed but I still was. I had everything I wanted but hated myself even more for still being down and not appreciating what I had.
When you’re not happy with life and don’t see any way to improve it, suicide sticks in your mind. It’s always there and the only question for me was ‘when’ and not ‘if’.
I managed to get better by radically changing my diet and eating lots of vitamin rich food. There had to have been a chemical imbalance since I am not constantly depressed anymore for no reason. My life is actually harder now than while I was depressed.
I never went on the meds because I refused to put synthetics into my body. The brain is so complex that nobody knows how they work. I was more afraid of the meds than suicide.
I do get down sometimes but only when there are good reasons for it. This is normal and not depression.
IMO, many cases of depression today are due to junk food. There are thousands of chemicals in food today that weren’t used before and I doubt they were tested for psychological effects.
Yes. Many drugs are not approved by the FDA for kids for various reasons.
And IMO, MJ is very bad for the developing mind so people under 18 should not use it.
If MJ was legalized, there would be no reason to smoke it. It would be cheap enough to eat instead. You can also vaporize it and get the same effect as smoking with no smoke.
And yes, certain stains have medicinal value. I have seen it first hand for various conditions. For pain relief, MJ is not addictive and has less side-effects than narcotic pain killers.
Narcotic painkillers are essentially synthesized, FDA approved heroin. How can the gov't approve heroin but not MJ?
The only reason of which I'm aware is the fact that the drug in question was never tested on children.
"How can the gov't approve heroin but not MJ?"
They don't. As with marijuana, heroin is a Schedule 1 substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule I drugs have a high potential for abuse and serve no legitimate medical purpose in the United States.
Guess we just don’t agree.
It’s a soul issue, not a chemical or a food issue.
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