Mother Faces Charges After Daughter Tests Positive for Drugs
In a troubling case from New Hampshire, a 30-year-old mother named Paige Goulet now faces legal consequences after her 6-year-old daughter was hospitalized following the ingestion of a THC gummy. The situation escalated when hospital tests revealed the young child had not only cannabinoids but also cocaine in her system. This concerning development prompted the state Division for Children, Youth and Families to notify the Nashua Police Department on November 3, setting in motion an investigation that would ultimately lead to the mother’s arrest. What makes this case particularly disturbing is not just the child’s exposure to illegal substances, but allegations that Goulet actively attempted to interfere with the subsequent investigation.
According to information released by the Nashua Police Department, investigators discovered that Goulet had instructed at least one witness not to cooperate with police during their inquiry. This apparent attempt to obstruct justice added a layer of complexity to what was already a serious case of child endangerment. Detectives determined that Goulet had “neglected her duty to care for her juvenile daughter,” a finding that formed the basis for the criminal charges she now faces. The case highlights the intersection of parental responsibility, substance security in homes with children, and the legal consequences that can follow when a child’s safety is compromised through exposure to controlled substances.
The investigation culminated in Goulet’s arrest on Monday when Meredith police took her into custody on a felony warrant specifically related to witness tampering. She was subsequently transferred to Nashua police custody, where she was formally charged with both tampering with witnesses and endangering the welfare of a child. These charges reflect the dual nature of the alleged offenses – both the original negligence that led to the child’s drug exposure and the subsequent attempts to hinder the investigation into that incident. The case sends a strong message about how seriously authorities take both child safety and the integrity of investigations involving minors.
Following her arrest, Goulet was released on a $300 cash bail, a relatively modest amount considering the nature of the charges. Her arraignment is scheduled for January 7 at the Nashua District Court, where she will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations against her. While the immediate legal proceedings have been set in motion, this case also raises broader questions about child safety in homes where drugs are present and accessible. The incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a moment of negligence regarding drug storage can lead to potentially life-threatening consequences for children, who may mistake edible THC products for ordinary candy or treats.
This case emerges against a backdrop of increasing concern about children’s accidental exposure to THC products, particularly edibles that are often designed to look like conventional sweets. Law enforcement agencies across the country have issued warnings about the dangers these products pose to children, especially around holidays when candy is abundant. The presence of cocaine in the child’s system adds another deeply concerning dimension to this particular case, suggesting either significant negligence in securing dangerous substances or an environment where multiple drugs were readily accessible to a young child.
The outcome of this case will likely be watched closely by child welfare advocates and legal experts alike, as it touches on several critical issues: parental responsibility for securing dangerous substances, the rights of children to safe home environments, and the legal consequences of attempting to obstruct investigations into child welfare matters. While the legal system will determine Goulet’s ultimate fate, the case serves as a sobering reminder of the vulnerability of children and the serious responsibility parents bear in protecting them from harm, particularly from substances that can have profound physiological effects on developing bodies and brains.
