Can I be in legal trouble for leaving my son’s medication out in the open?
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Can I be in legal trouble for leaving my son’s medication out in the open?
My 7 year old son is on medicationfor his ADHD. This past weekend, 18 of his pills were taken by one of my oldest son’s 17 year old friends. I filed a report and they are doing an investigation. My mother is concerned that I may be in trouble for having the medicine in my home with children. I keep the bottle on top of my microwave because my son takes it in the mornings as we are rushing out the door for school. I have taught my children (ages 16, 13, 10, and 7) the dangers of Rx medications, so they know not to mess with them. But then this 17 year old steals them from my home. Can I be charged?
Asked on October 19, 2011 under Criminal Law, Georgia
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
There is always the possibility that you could be charged with criminal negligence for leaving the medication that you are writing about in the open available for someone to take which apparently happened.
However since you reported the taking of the medication to law enforcement and the likely suspect, the chances of you being charged for any criminal offense seems pretty remote based upon what you have written. In the future you should be more careful with where you leave medication at your home.
Good luck.
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