Minneapolis, MN – A babysitting arrangement turned into a life-threatening emergency when 2-year-old twin girls were rushed to the hospital hours apart, leading to the arrest of their 56-year-old grandmother, according to police.
Authorities say the grandmother, Andrea Flex, was watching the children on Sunday when both toddlers experienced medical crises believed to be caused by methadone ingestion. She has been charged with child neglect or endangerment.
First Emergency: Toddler Found Unconscious in Home
Police responded to a home on North 4th Avenue after receiving a report that one of the twins was unresponsive and struggling to breathe. When officers arrived, the child was unconscious and required immediate medical intervention.
She was taken to a nearby hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit in critical condition. Local reporting indicates her medical team described her condition as “grim.”
Second Twin Experiences Distress Two Hours Later
Roughly two hours after the first ambulance left, emergency crews were called to the same home for the second twin. Officers said the child showed pinpoint pupils, shallow breathing, and signs consistent with opioid exposure.
Paramedics administered Narcan (Naloxone)—a medication that reverses opioid overdoses.
This quick action is “believed to have saved the child’s life,” according to information shared in early reports.
Investigation Points to Medication Found in Purse
As officers tried to determine what caused both toddlers to collapse, attention turned to Flex. During a search, authorities found methadone inside her purse.
Methadone is commonly used for opioid addiction treatment, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Both toddlers later tested positive for methadone, investigators said.
Police believe the twins may have accessed Flex’s purse while she was babysitting them.
Condition of the Children
The second child who received Narcan is expected to survive, according to early hospital updates.
The first twin remains in critical condition, and doctors have described her prognosis as uncertain.
Charges and Release
Flex was booked into the Hennepin County Jail on charges of child neglect or endangerment, jail records confirm. She was released from custody on Tuesday while the investigation continues.
Why Experts Warn About Medication Safety Around Children
Accidental medication ingestion remains a leading cause of pediatric emergencies in the United States.
Health officials routinely urge caregivers to:
- Keep all prescription medications out of reach and out of sight
- Store medications in child-resistant containers
- Avoid placing purses, bags, or backpacks where young children can access them
Experts note that children as young as two can easily open handbags, mimic adult behavior, or mistake pills for candy.
Community and Legal Ramifications
Child safety advocates say this incident highlights the risks caregivers face when handling potent medications in a home setting. Even when medication is legally prescribed, mishandling it around children can lead to criminal liability and long-term family consequences.
Officials also emphasized that Narcan’s life-saving role in emergencies involving young children demonstrates why first responders and medical staff carry it widely. Its effectiveness in pediatric exposures has grown increasingly important amid rising opioid-related incidents.
What Happens Next
Prosecutors will determine whether additional charges will be filed as toxicology reports and medical updates come in. Child protection services are also involved and will likely review long-term safety plans for the family.
Authorities have not released further updates on the condition of the critically injured twin.
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