Monroe County deputy arrests Key Largo man after child ingests THC vape content

A 12-year-old became incapacitated after ingesting THC from a vape pen left within reach in a Key Largo home, and Monroe County deputies arrested the child’s father, 35-year-old Luis Enrique Pesante, on a child neglect charge. The child was taken to Mariners Hospital in Tavernier and was not believed to have life-threatening injuries.

Around 10:30 a.m., the 12-year-old was left to supervise a younger child. After ingesting marijuana from the vape pen, the older child could no longer watch the younger one, called a family member, and that person then dialed 911.

Pesante left the vape pen where both children could get to it. Deputies arrested him on July 5 and booked him into jail. Both children were later released to a family member, and the Florida Department of Children and Families was notified.

Florida law defines child neglect to include failing to provide necessary supervision or to make a reasonable effort to protect a child from abuse, neglect or exploitation.

In Florida, pediatric marijuana poison-control calls climbed from 72 in 2016 to 696 in 2023, and pediatric emergency-department visits rose from 697 to 6,522 over the same period, the Florida Department of Health said. Unintentional cannabis ingestions among young children have increased rapidly as legalization has widened, the American Academy of Pediatrics says.

Florida Poison Control Centers recommend calling 1-800-222-1222 for any known or potential toxic exposure, including emerging drugs of abuse. The CDC advises keeping cannabis products in locked childproof containers and out of the reach and sight of children and pets.