A 22-year-old Texas woman faces child endangerment charges after her 1-year-old nephew allegedly inhaled a THC vape pen while under her supervision, authorities said.
Vianney Alyssa Acosta was arrested May 21 following the May 16 incident at an eastern El Paso home, according to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to a medical emergency call after the toddler showed signs of narcotics exposure.
An arrest affidavit obtained by the El Paso Times and CBS 4 stated the child had difficulty breathing after accessing Acosta’s THC vape pen. First responders found the boy crying uncontrollably with droopy eyes and struggling to stay awake.
The toddler’s father and grandmother were also present while his mother was at work. The grandmother told investigators that around 2:45 p.m., Acosta heard the child coughing in her bedroom and discovered him holding the vape pen. The grandmother confirmed the device belonged to Acosta.
The father, who was outside working on a car when deputies arrived, said he was unaware of the incident until informed by the grandmother, who told him the toddler had “hit a vape pen.”
Acosta admitted to deputies that she kept the THC pen on a two-foot-tall nightstand, partially concealed under miscellaneous items. She acknowledged her nephew could climb onto the bed to reach objects. Though she claimed she did not see him with the pen, she assumed he had inhaled from it after noticing he was coughing, red-faced, and surrounded by a “little bit of smoke.”
She also insisted the device was empty and uncharged. The child was taken to a hospital, where a urine test confirmed THC exposure. Child Protective Services opened an investigation. Acosta was charged with child endangerment and possession of a controlled substance (1 gram or less). She was booked into El Paso County Jail on a $6,000 bond and released the same day.
In Texas, child endangerment carries penalties of up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Possession of a controlled substance (under 1 gram) carries similar consequences. The case highlights growing concerns over accidental cannabis exposure in children as THC products become more accessible. Authorities urge parents and caregivers to store such items securely out of children’s reach.