North Carolina mother accused of intentionally overdosing her own children, sheriff's office says

MONROE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A Monroe mother was arrested Wednesday on child abuse charges after two of her children were hospitalized earlier this year for taking excessive levels of medication.

Sarah Jones, 28, was investigated extensively for child abuse, according to the Union County Sheriff's Office. It started in March after her children, ages 8 and 9, were taken to the hospital with what deputies say were “severe symptoms” of a narcotics overdose.

After an extended stay under medical care, doctors reportedly determined that the children had been given “large quantities of various prescription narcotics,” including Tramadol and Benadryl.

The sheriff's office said Union County detectives determined the overdoses were intentional and malicious acts caused by their mother, Jones. Detectives also determined that the hospital visit that sparked the initial investigation was not the first incident in which Jones intentionally overdosed his own children and were able to establish a pattern of abuse spanning several months.

Union County Child Protective Services assisted with this investigation, and the children were placed in foster care and are recovering well at this time.

Jones was charged with two counts of child abuse (negligent omission resulting in serious bodily injury) and transferred to the Union County Detention Center. She was given a $25,000 bond and is no longer in custody.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information related to this case is asked to call 911, the UCSO main office at 704-283-3789 or Union County Crime Stoppers at 704-283-5600.