Drug-abusing mom sentenced in toddler's death

By Pat Jenkins The Dispatch A 27-year-old woman has been ordered to spend six and a half years in prison for the death of her 2-year-old son who died after drinking drug-laced water in their Spanaway home. Alyia Iverson, 27, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the first degree. She was sentenced March 25 in Pierce County Superior Court. Authorities said Iverson saw her toddler drink her bong water while she and others were doing drugs the night of Dec. 6, 2012, but she didn't call 9-1-1. She did later when he stopped breathing at 3 a.m., but paramedics couldn't revive him. He was pronounced dead at a hospital. According to the county's medical examiner, the toddler died from acute methamphetamine poisoning. Toxicology reports showed that he ingested THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, and enough methamphetamine to kill an adult. Prosecutors said Iverson wrapped the boy in a blanket and put him on the floor after he drank the bong water Before dying, the toddler would have exhibited obvious signs of distress, including a fever, convulsions and seizures, authorities said. Witnesses told investigators that Iverson has a history of smoking meth in her children's presence, that her house was unsanitary, and that her children GÇô she also has a daughter GÇô weren't properly fed and were physically abused. The two children were removed from Iverson's home in 2011, but she was able to regain custody, authorities said. "Sad, tragic and avoidable,GÇ¥ Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Lindquist said of the toddler's death. "Parents are supposed to protect and care for their children. Instead, the defendant was criminally reckless.GÇ¥

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