Child exposed to dangerous chemicals in home ‘meth lab’
A young child has been exposed to potentially life-threatening chemicals after his father, a former soldier, allegedly set up a meth lab at home.
It’s alleged the seven-year-old’s father turned their Blacktown property into a toxic suburban lab for the manufacture of ice.
The little boy allegedly told his teachers and classmates that his dad was a scientist, saying
there was a “science room” in their home and he wasn’t allowed in.
Police discovered the illegal set-up in October last year, with court documents revealing the man’s mother dobbed him in, claiming “there was a constant, strong smell of chemicals coming from the inside of the house”.
A hair sample confirmed the schoolboy had been exposed to countless dangerous chemicals.
“The chemicals involved in manufacturing methamphetamine are extremely dangerous and if a child is exposed directly to that it could kill them,” Meth Screen CEO Ryan Matthews said.
The 31-year-old former soldier fronted court on Friday and is now set to stand trial over drug manufacturing and supply charges.
The boy is now living with his mother.
“He’s doing very well, he’s extremely well and he’s going to school,” the boy’s grandfather told 7 News.
“But at the end of the day, you’re still questioning, what’s going to be the long-term effect?”
If convicted, the boy’s father could spend close to two decades behind bars.
