Children harmed in marijuana incidents

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DENVER, March 2 (UPI) -- Two Colorado children have been injured in marijuana-based incidents -- a boy with a gunshot wound and a baby with a THC overdose, police say.

In the first incident, an 11-year-old Broomfield, Colo., boy allegedly shot himself in the foot Friday night with a .22 caliber pistol after his father left him home alone. The father, whose name has not been released, says he has licenses to grow 30 marijuana plants, KUSA-TV, Denver, reported Tuesday.

"I think the 11-year-old was protecting the marijuana grow," North Metro Task Force spokesman Commander Jerry Peters said. "The child should never be left alone with a loaded handgun, especially an 11-year-old child," he added.

The man allegedly told investigators the incident "was an accident."

"We could have charged the dad that night," Peters said. "He knows he's going to be arrested, but he was on the way to the hospital to see his son, and we know where he lives. So we're probably going to charge him ... with cultivation of marijuana and child abuse."

On Monday, Commerce City Police arrested Arturo Torres and Jessica Bacerra on charges of cultivation of marijuana and child abuse, KUSA-TV, Denver reported.

One of their 10-month-old twins allegedly consumed a home-made trail-mix type of product that resulted in a THC overdose, Peters said.

"I don't care if it's a legal marijuana grow or illegal marijuana grow, when a child suffers from THC overdose, a child could die and that's something that concerns me not only as a parent, but as a law enforcement officer here in Adams County," Peters said.

No details were given on the conditions of either child.