Mother accused of intentionally overdosing children says charges are false

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A mother from Monroe, who is accused of using prescription medications to intentionally poison her two children earlier this year, said the charges are a big mistake.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office posted on Thursday saying 28-year-old Sarah Jones was arrested and charged with two counts of felony child abuse.

The victims are 8 and 9 years old, the sheriff’s office said.

Sarah Jones said the charges are a mistake.

Deputies said it was clear that Sarah Jones’s children were given too much medicine, however, Sarah Jones said she was only following her doctor’s orders.

“I would say that I’m a very loving and caring mother and I would never, ever hurt my children at all,” Sarah Jones told Channel 9′s Glenn Counts.

According to the sheriff’s office, investigators got the report from physicians after two children were admitted to a local hospital with “severe symptoms of a narcotics overdose” back in March. The physicians determined that the children “had been given large quantities of various prescription narcotics, including Tramadol and Benadryl.”

‘Heartbreaking situation’

“I never have given my children too much meds,” Sarah Jones said. “I only gave them their prescriptions, prescribed meds and dosage.”

Sarah Jones and her children live with her parents and her father is convinced authorities made a mistake by charging his daughter.

“We love these children with all of our hearts, and no one is hurting them,” said Gary Jones, her father. “We wouldn’t dare think of it.”

The mother said her son has seizures, and she thinks the dosage the doctor initially prescribed was too large. As a result, he was admitted to the hospital three times in four weeks.

Hospital officials reported that as a red flag to social services.

“It’s like they react too quick without doing a thorough diagnosis to determine what’s actually going on before calling DSS,” Gary Jones said.

“It’s been a real heartbreaking situation,” Sarah Jones said. “My family has suffered dearly since these poor children have been taken from the family that always cared for them. They have lived in this house since they were born.”

The family said they have documented proof that they are telling the truth and they believe they will be proven correct once they get to court.

The children were taken into foster care and are recovering well, according to the sheriff’s office.

Jones was booked into custody but then released on a secured bond of $25,000.

UCSO says the investigation is still ongoing.

Channel 9 is working on getting more details on Jones’ arrest. Check back for updates.

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