The quiet, rural landscape of Columbus County, North Carolina was shattered this week by a disturbing case that has left law enforcement officials, medical professionals, and child welfare advocates reeling. Keyana Moore, a local resident, now sits in custody at the Columbus County Detention Center after a baby under her care was rushed to Columbus Regional Healthcare System in critical condition due to apparent cocaine poisoning.

According to Columbus County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Captain David Nobles, emergency responders were called to a residence in the western part of the county late Tuesday evening after reports of an unresponsive infant. “When our deputies arrived on scene, they found the 11-month-old child exhibiting signs of severe medical distress,” Nobles stated during a press conference Wednesday morning. “The child was immediately transported to Columbus Regional where toxicology tests confirmed the presence of dangerously high levels of cocaine in the baby’s system.”

This developing case has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community of approximately 50,000 residents, raising urgent questions about child welfare, substance abuse, and the systems designed to protect vulnerable populations. As investigators work to piece together exactly how the infant came into contact with the illegal drug, multiple agencies including the Columbus County Department of Social Services and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation have become involved in what Sheriff Jody Greene describes as “one of the most disturbing cases of child endangerment we’ve seen in this county in recent memory.”

Medical Crisis: The Physiological Impact of Cocaine on an Infant

The infant at the center of this case remains hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit at Columbus Regional, where medical staff continue to monitor the child’s condition closely. Dr. Alicia Thornton, a pediatric toxicologist consulted on the case, explains that cocaine exposure presents unique dangers to infants due to their developing physiology.

“Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that affects the central nervous system by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin,” Dr. Thornton notes. “In an infant weighing less than 20 pounds, even minute amounts can cause catastrophic effects including seizures, stroke, hyperthermia, and cardiac arrest.”

Medical records obtained from Columbus Regional indicate the child presented with multiple life-threatening symptoms upon arrival at the emergency department, including:

• Severe tachycardia (heart rate exceeding 200 beats per minute)
• Hypertension (dangerously high blood pressure)
• Hyperthermia (body temperature of 103.7°F)
• Generalized tonic-clonic seizures
• Depressed respiratory function

The hospital’s emergency response team initiated immediate interventions including intubation for respiratory support, intravenous benzodiazepines to control seizures, and targeted temperature management to prevent brain damage from the elevated core temperature. Blood work confirmed the presence of cocaine metabolites at levels exceeding 500 ng/mL – a concentration Dr. Thornton describes as “potentially fatal without prompt medical intervention.”

Investigation Unfolds: Tracing the Path of Exposure

As medical personnel fought to stabilize the infant, detectives from the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit launched a parallel investigation into the circumstances surrounding the poisoning. Search warrants executed at Moore’s residence reportedly uncovered drug paraphernalia including a mirror with visible powder residue and several plastic baggies commonly used for narcotics distribution.

Forensic testing conducted by the North Carolina State Crime Lab has confirmed the presence of cocaine on multiple surfaces within the home, including:

• The kitchen counter where baby bottles were prepared
• A living room end table within reach of a playpen
• The changing table in the nursery
• Several pacifiers found in the residence

Sheriff Greene emphasized that investigators are working to determine whether the exposure resulted from accidental contamination or intentional administration. “We’re looking at every possible angle,” Greene told reporters. “Did the child come into contact with residue left on surfaces? Was there some form of passive exposure? These are all questions our forensic teams are working to answer.”

Court documents reveal that Moore, 28, has no prior criminal record but does have a history with child protective services. Neighbors interviewed by investigators described frequent late-night visitors to the residence and reported hearing arguments on multiple occasions in recent weeks.

Legal Ramifications: Potential Charges and Precedents

Legal experts familiar with North Carolina’s child protection statutes suggest Moore could face multiple felony charges as the investigation progresses. Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Warren, who specializes in child abuse cases, outlined several potential charges under consideration:

1. Felony Child Abuse (NCGS § 14-318.4)
   • Class B1 felony punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment
   • Requires proof of intentional or reckless infliction of serious injury
2. Involuntary Manslaughter (NCGS § 14-18.2)
   • If the child’s condition worsens, charges could be elevated
   • Class F felony with potential 59-month sentence
3. Possession of Controlled Substance (NCGS § 90-95)
   • Cocaine is a Schedule II controlled substance
   • Felony charge with sentence dependent on quantity
4. Contributing to Delinquency of a Minor (NCGS § 14-316.1)
   • Misdemeanor charge often added in neglect cases

Warren noted that North Carolina has seen a troubling increase in similar cases in recent years. “Since 2018, we’ve prosecuted 14 cases of infant drug exposure across the state,” she revealed. “The common denominator is nearly always the presence of illegal narcotics in environments where children live and play.”

Community Response and Systemic Failures

The case has sparked outrage among Columbus County residents, with dozens gathering outside the courthouse Thursday morning demanding stronger protections for children. Local advocacy groups have organized candlelight vigils for the injured child while calling for reforms to the county’s child welfare system.

Martha Simmons, director of the Columbus County Department of Social Services, acknowledged that Moore’s residence had been visited by caseworkers twice in the past year following anonymous tips about possible drug activity. “Our records show both visits occurred during daytime hours when no obvious signs of drug use were present,” Simmons stated. “We’re conducting an internal review of our protocols to determine if warning signs were missed.”

Data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reveals concerning trends in the region:

• Columbus County ranks 8th in the state for opioid overdose deaths
• Reported cases of child neglect have increased 37% since 2019
• The county has only one full-time child abuse investigator serving its entire population

Long-Term Implications: A Child’s Uncertain Future

Medical professionals caution that even if the infant survives this ordeal, the long-term consequences could be severe. Dr. Thornton explains that cocaine exposure in infancy has been linked to:

• Cognitive impairments and learning disabilities
• Behavioral disorders including ADHD
• Increased risk of substance abuse later in life
• Permanent neurological damage in severe cases

The child will require extensive follow-up care including:

• Neurological monitoring for seizure disorders
• Developmental assessments at regular intervals
• Potential physical and occupational therapy
• Long-term psychological support

As the community grapples with this tragedy, Sheriff Greene vowed to pursue justice aggressively. “This isn’t just about one child or one arrest,” he stated. “It’s about sending a message that we will not tolerate this kind of endangerment in our community. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, drug-free environment.”

The investigation remains ongoing, with prosecutors expected to present formal charges to a grand jury within the next two weeks. Meanwhile, the infant continues to fight for recovery in the hospital, surrounded by medical staff working tirelessly to mitigate the damage caused by this preventable tragedy.