A four-year-old girl in Alabama was rushed to intensive care after being found with a blood alcohol content nearly four times the legal driving limit while at school, leaving authorities scrambling for answers about how this could happen.
At a Glance
- A 4-year-old girl in Mobile, Alabama, was discovered with a 0.29 blood alcohol content at school and spent two days in the ICU
- The child was found nearly unresponsive by her mother, Mary Singleton, who was only notified minutes before school dismissal
- Sources indicate the girl ingested a large amount of ethanol, commonly found in products like hand sanitizers and perfumes
- Prichard Police have launched an investigation that may involve the Child Advocacy Center
- Mobile County Public Schools have not yet responded to media inquiries about the incident
Parents Discover Child’s Alarming Condition
The family of a 4-year-old Mobile, Alabama girl is demanding answers after their daughter was discovered at school with a blood alcohol content of 0.29—more than four times the legal limit for adults to drive. According to reports, the school notified the child’s mother, Mary Singleton, just two minutes before dismissal, giving little indication of the severity of the situation. When Singleton arrived at the school, she found her daughter in a deeply concerning state in the nurse’s office.
“She was slobbering at the mouth, she was heavy, and the teacher handed her to me saying we probably needed to take her to the ER,” said Mary Singleton.
The child, who had walked into school that morning like any other day, was now barely responsive. The alarming contrast between her normal entry to school and her condition at pickup has left the family searching for explanations about what happened during school hours. The parents immediately rushed their daughter to the hospital where medical staff confirmed the dangerous blood alcohol level and admitted her to intensive care.
Medical Emergency and Investigation
Hospital staff determined that the young girl had somehow ingested a substantial amount of ethanol, resulting in the dangerously high blood alcohol content. The child spent two critical days in the ICU before doctors determined she was stable enough for discharge. Medical professionals treated the case with the urgency of alcohol poisoning, which can be life-threatening, especially in young children whose bodies cannot process alcohol like adults.
“It’s hard to deal with when you see your child walking into school and being carried out, you know, and you don’t have any idea what’s going on,” said Albert Singleton.
Prichard Police have launched a full investigation into the incident to determine how the child accessed ethanol while at school. Authorities may involve the Child Advocacy Center, which has experience with similar cases involving children accidentally ingesting alcohol-based products. Investigators will need to determine if this was an accident involving common school items like hand sanitizer or if there are more concerning circumstances to address.
School’s Response and Safety Concerns
As of the latest reports, Mobile County Public Schools has not responded to media inquiries about the incident, leaving many questions unanswered. Parents and community members are expressing concern about whether proper supervision protocols are in place and if potentially dangerous ethanol-containing products are being stored securely in areas where young children attend school. The lack of communication has added to the family’s frustration as they seek accountability.
The Child Advocacy Center has advised that all ethanol products should be kept out of reach of young children, whether at home or in school environments. Ethanol is commonly found in everyday products such as hand sanitizers, skin care products, and perfumes—all items that might be present in a school setting. Just a small amount of these products can cause significant harm to a child due to their small body size and undeveloped metabolic systems.
Local authorities have promised a thorough investigation to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future. The case highlights the critical importance of proper storage of potentially dangerous substances in environments where children are present, especially in educational settings where parents trust their children will be kept safe throughout the school day.
