‘Tasted Weird’: Mom Arrested After Boy, 5, Ingested Meth Through his Apple Juice Container and Died: Cops

A Florida mother, Heather Opsincs, is facing aggravated manslaughter charges after her 5-year-old son died from ingesting methamphetamine that was present in his apple juice container. The tragic incident occurred on March 23, when Riviera Beach Police responded to a call at an apartment on Beach Court around 5:30 p.m. Authorities arrived to find the child not breathing and immediately transported him to a local hospital, where he later passed away.

The Boy’s Condition Before His Death

According to a probable cause affidavit, the boy was in the care of a babysitter at the time of the incident. The babysitter told investigators that the child had grabbed a bottle of apple juice and, after taking a sip, immediately spit it out, claiming the drink “tasted weird.” The boy then went to the bathroom, only to return shivering and shaking. His lips turned blue, and he began to lose consciousness. The babysitter performed CPR and contacted Opsincs, who was at the back of the apartment complex at the time. Upon returning to the apartment, Opsincs found her son experiencing seizure-like symptoms and a fading pulse. Despite efforts to revive him, the child succumbed to his condition.

Mother’s Admission and Drug Test Results

During an interview with detectives, Opsincs initially claimed she had been cleaning out her cooler at the time of the emergency. She admitted to buying edible mushrooms but denied consuming any drugs. However, a drug test revealed that she tested positive for methamphetamine, a result she dismissed as a “false positive.” A second test was conducted, and once again, it returned positive for methamphetamine. Further investigation revealed that the boy also tested positive for the drug, leading investigators to suspect that methamphetamine had been present in the apple juice container he drank from. A search of Opsincs’ apartment uncovered troubling evidence. The apartment was in a “deplorable” condition, with rotting food and trash scattered throughout. Police also found six glass pipes that tested positive for methamphetamine.

Negligence and Past Concerns

Opsincs told officers that her son, who was on the autism spectrum, required special care. Investigators later discovered that just two months prior, Opsincs had contacted poison control after her son had licked bleach at the home. This raised concerns about her ability to provide a safe and adequate living environment for her child. Authorities believe that her negligence and failure to maintain a suitable home ultimately contributed to her son’s death. During a pretrial hearing on March 28, a judge called the case “pretty egregious.” Opsincs was granted a bond of $100,000 and remains in custody at the Palm Beach County Jail. Her next court date is scheduled for April 22.