Mom to stand trial for death of baby killed by drugs in breast milk

BUCKS COUNTY, Penn. -- (WPTV) -- Prosecutors argue 30-year-old Samantha Jones killed her 11-week-old son, R.J., by breastfeeding while using drugs. According to the criminal complaint, R.J. died from ingesting a "combination of fatal drugs through breast milk" and is being charged with criminal homicide.

At Jones' preliminary hearing on Wednesday, Deputy District Attorney Kristin M. McElroy argued that the child died because Jones had taken methamphetamine and amphetamine, "which had no business being inside that baby," according to a press release from the Bucks County District Attorney's Office.

Jones' attorney, Louis Busico, said that Jones "absolutely, unequivocally loved that child" and never intended to harm him.

According to the Bucks County Coroner's Office, the autopsy revealed traces of methadone, amphetamine and methamphetamine were found in the infant's blood and contributed to his death in April. The affidavit further noted that the examiner who performed the autopsy said "R.J. ingested the combination of fatal drugs through breast milk."

Deputy D.A. McElroy said it is possible that Jones could face a murder charge that carries a mandatory life sentence. The prosecutor's office did not offer any additional comment.