Platte County woman accused of endangerment after 4-year-old drinks wine

A Platte City woman faces child endangerment charges for allegedly leaving wine unattended on a kitchen table, giving her 4-year-old granddaughter access to the drink.

The child was rushed Dec. 16 to Children’s Mercy Hospital, where she was found to have a blood alcohol content of .159, nearly twice the legal driving limit.

The child’s grandmother, Aretha A. McAdoo, 43, allegedly had poured herself at least two glasses of wine, authorities said. McAdoo then allegedly left the glass and the wine container unattended on her kitchen table. While she was away, the child may have drunk from her wine glass McAdoo told investigators, according to court records.

“This case does not allege that the defendant intentionally gave her granddaughter alcohol,” said Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd. “But it’s always a serious situation when a young child gains access to alcohol, even if it is merely the result of allegedly inadequate supervision.”

Emergency crews were called to the residence in the 13700 block of Post Oak Lane in response to the child having seizures and possibly consuming alcohol. While paramedics were there, the child vomited liquid that had an extremely strong odor of alcohol, authorities said.

Deputies determined that McAdoo was the only adult there and was taking care of her three grandchildren. McAdoo appeared to be intoxicated, had a hard time keeping her balance, slurred her words and had severe mood swings, according to court records.

McAdoo allegedly tried to follow the ambulance to Children’s Mercy, but deputies stopped her. Deputies asked McAdoo to submit to a portable blood test before they would allow her to drive. McAdoo became defensive and told deputies that she did not have to submit to the test.

McAdoo later told investigators that she never noticed whether her grandchildren had drunk from her wine glass while she was in another part of the residence. McAdoo said she came downstairs and noticed that her second glass of wine was empty. She said it was possible for the 4-year-old to manipulate the valve on the box of wine, allowing the child to obtain an unlimited amount.

McAdoo also told authorities that her grandson told her that the granddaughter had been drinking her wine, court records stated.

This story was originally published February 12, 2015 at 11:52 AM with the headline "Platte County woman accused of endangerment after 4-year-old drinks wine."