Posted on 08/04/2005 8:34:58 PM PDT by BurbankKarl
An autopsy revealed evidence of cocaine in the body of Suzie Marie Peña, the toddler who died in a shootout between police and her father, who was using her as a shield, officials said today.
Medical tests showed that the toddler's urine contained the drug benzoylechgoneine, into which cocaine metabolizes in the human body.
The autopsy showed the presence of a trace amount of the drug, according to Craig Harvey, spokesman for the Los Angeles County coroner.
Experts said it could have been ingested or inhaled. One official said the cocaine could have been eaten, come from breast milk, or been breathed in the form of dust.
Police found cocaine and narcotics in the room where Raul Peña held his daughter hostage. Both died in a shootout with LAPD officers in which Peña fired 40 rounds. Family members said the man was despondent, and had taken drugs and alcohol.
Results of the autopsy showed that a police officer fired the shot that killed the 19-month-old girl during the standoff in a Watts auto lot.
Peña, 34, died of multiple gunshot wounds. His daughter, Suzie Marie Peña, was shot once in the head.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
About 0.07 micrograms of cocaine per milliliter were found in her system, according to the report.
"I think what we will probably end up having to do is notifying the appropriate authorities of that and interview the other children in that family to make a determination of how that occurred," Los Angeles Police Department Chief William Bratton said today outside Parker Center.
Bratton said he has not yet reviewed Suzie's autopsy and toxicology reports, but he expected to receive the information sometime today. It was unclear whether the Suzie's mother, Lorena Lopez, would be investigated.
"I'm going to the doctor," Lopez told a local TV station outside her Watts home, with her attorney, Luis Carrillo, at her side. "I can't talk right now, but we'll talk later."
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/news/080405_nw_toddler_cocaine.html
ping
Oh no, I bet the LA Police get sued for this to, letting that happen !!!
Well Spinestein, the problem in the United States these days, is you can't investigate a minority or enforce our nations laws, if a minority is involved. To do so would be racist.
Not surprised.
""I think what we will probably end up having to do is notifying the appropriate authorities of that and interview the other children in that family to make a determination of how that occurred," "
DUH?
Mr Peña was only doing crimes that Americans are unwilling to do themselves.
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