In Gran Canaria, authorities moved quickly after receiving a troubling report involving a 19‑month‑old boy. The infant was admitted to a hospital with unsteady gait, lethargy, and a notable lack of responsiveness. Medical teams, following initial assessments, identified the ingestion of illicit substances, including cocaine and cannabis, as the cause behind his concerning symptoms.
The child’s parents, a 26‑year‑old man with a prior criminal record and a 27‑year‑old woman, were subsequently detained by the police. Investigators believe the family is facing serious safeguarding concerns, including abandonment issues, which prompted swift action from law enforcement.
The hospital alerted the Family and Women’s Attention Group (UFAM) of the Canary Islands Police Department after toxicology results confirmed the presence of illegal drugs in the child’s system. The UFAM, which handles cases involving vulnerable people and domestic situations, began coordinating with hospital staff immediately to ensure the child’s safety and to start a formal inquiry.
Police officers questioned the boy’s parents and one of his grandmothers who resided with them as part of the ongoing investigation. The family’s account was carefully reviewed against the toxicology report and hospital findings to establish a clearer timeline of events and to determine potential risks to the child beyond the immediate incident.
According to law enforcement, the parents acknowledged habitual cannabis use and occasional cocaine use. They suggested the possibility that remnants of these substances might have been present in the household environment and accidentally ingested by the child, possibly through contact with furniture or surfaces. This explanation is being examined in depth as part of the inquiry to determine how exposure occurred and whether precautions were neglected.
Once medical care for the child concludes and he is discharged from hospital, he is expected to remain under the supervision of his grandmother, who lives with the family. A judge will later decide on the next steps in the case, including any safeguarding measures or custody arrangements intended to protect the boy’s welfare during ongoing proceedings.