Columbia, SC-- Investigators in South Carolina charged a mother in her child's from November 2010.

Officers say the infant girl died from a lethal dose of illegally obtained morphine, that was in her mother's breast milk. Deputies told the Associated Press the mother obtained the drugs illegally.

Stephanie Greene, who is the mother, was charged on Friday. Detectives charged the 37 year-old with homicide by child abuse or neglect.

Investigators said 6-week-old, Alexis, was found dead in her parents' bed in their Campobello, SC home on November 13, 2010.

According to medical examiner, the child's toxicology report showed high levels of morphine in her blood. Authorities believe the painkiller got into Greene's breast milk, after she took pills and used patches containing morphine. They said she had been doing this since the baby's birth.  

During their investigation, Detectives learned that Greene had illegally obtained the drugs at least 38 times, in less than two years at a Spartanburg pharmacy. The information was confirmed by South Carolina's Department of Health and Environmental Control investigators.

Deputies also charged Greene with multiple counts of violation of drug distribution.

The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control says the violations span from March 2009 - Dec. 2010.  They say Greene obtained prescription medications by deceit or fraud. 

Greene allegedly got the drugs by presenting a fraudulent prescription to a CVS in Inman. According to investigators, medicines she received were:

• Fentanyl - Pain med that comes in Patch form. Often given to people who suffer from constant pain.
• Duragesic - Pain med along the same type as Fentanyl.
• Morphene - In pill form
• Hydrocodon - also known as Vicoprofen

Greene is currently in the Spartanburg County Detention Center. 

 

AP/WSPA