Mother charged in 38-day-old baby’s meth-related death; family wants accountability

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) -The mother of a 38-day-old baby who died last month appeared in court on Wednesday, facing one charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child.

Rebecca Morris, 36, is accused in the death of her son Josiah. Medical examiners said the infant died from toxic levels of methamphetamine in his system.

Megan Kelly, Josiah’s aunt, said she met the baby for the first time on a Saturday. The following Monday, she received a call that he was not breathing.

“I walked over to the Shands Pediatric Emergency Room, and he was gone,” Kelly said.

Kelly said she only knew Morris through her brother, Josiah’s father.

“Rebecca looked so normal. She looked so normal,” Kelly said. “And that facts of what is going on is unfathomable.”

Alachua County Sheriff’s Office investigators found multiple drugs in Morris’ home, including marijuana. During an interview, Morris said she had not smoked marijuana in four months or used other drugs in two years. A drug test came back clean.

However, a witness showed investigators a text message indicating they smoked marijuana together a few days before Josiah’s death.

Morris was previously charged with drug offenses and child abuse, but the child abuse charges were later dropped.

RELATED: Mother charged with aggravated manslaughter for death of her child in Gainesville

Kelly said she wants those who knew Morris to talk to detectives.

“Speak out on her character, speak out on what you have seen because it could save her other children,” Kelly said. “I’m trying to feel gratitude that this may have saved her other children from her. Makes me angry that it cost me losing my nephew, but it just may be what was needed to save them.”

Kelly described Josiah as a happy and handsome baby. She said she plans to attend every court date as she continues to advocate for him.

Morris’ next court date has not been set.

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