A 4-year-old Alabama girl was rushed to the hospital and spent two days in the intensive care unit after her parents say she was picked up from school in a frighteningly unresponsive state.
Doctors later found dangerously high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.29% in the little girl’s system, according to a toxicology report shared with the media.
The child’s mother, Mary Singleton, told Fox 10 News that she was contacted by her daughter’s school just two minutes before dismissal. When she arrived, she found her daughter “slobbering” with a limp body** in the nurse’s office.
“It’s just really hard to deal with,” said the child’s father in the televised report. “You see a child walking into school and being carried out, and don’t have any idea what’s going on.”
Medical Emergency and Investigation Underway
Ethanol — also known as ethyl alcohol — is a form of alcohol commonly found in hand sanitizers, cleaning products, and alcoholic beverages. A BAC of 0.29% is considered life-threatening, particularly in a small child. Medical experts say such a level could lead to coma, respiratory failure, or death if not treated promptly.
Authorities have not yet determined how the child came into contact with the substance. The Pritchard Police Department is actively investigating the case and may refer it to the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) for further examination. So far, Mobile County Public Schools has not released a public statement.
Concerns Over School Safety
The family is calling for accountability and transparency from school officials, especially regarding how a child under school supervision could have ingested such a toxic substance. No information has been provided about the specific school involved, or whether other children were affected.
“We need answers,” Singleton told reporters. “We trusted the school to protect our daughter.”
The Child Advocacy Center has reminded parents and caregivers to keep ethanol-containing products out of children’s reach and urged schools to review safety protocols around chemical storage and accessibility.
The Bigger Picture
This incident raises serious questions about child safety standards in educational settings, and whether proper safeguards are being enforced. As the investigation continues, parents across the state and beyond are voicing concerns about the handling of hazardous materials and the timely communication of emergencies.
The girl has since been released from the hospital and is recovering at home. Her family says they remain traumatized and are now pushing for a full investigation and accountability.
The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a teacher in connection with the incident. Tracy Walker, 56, is charged with aggravated child abuse, according to the Mobile County Metro Jail records.
Meanwhile, advocacy groups are urging Alabama school districts to review their safety policies, and ensure all staff are properly trained to recognize and prevent accidental poisoning.
