Grafton, WI – A Wisconsin woman pleaded guilty to child neglect after her 5-day-old baby sustained skull fractures when he fell from her hospital bed while she overdosed on heroin. Janet Solis, 25, entered a guilty plea on Monday, nearly a year after the incident, which occurred in November 2024.
The Tragic Incident and Neglectful Actions
According to a criminal complaint, the incident took place at Aurora Medical Center in Grafton, a northern suburb of Milwaukee. On November 4, 2024, police were alerted that Solis’ newborn baby had suffered skull fractures after she allegedly overdosed on heroin while in the hospital. While Solis was unconscious from the overdose, the baby fell off the hospital bed onto a tile floor, where he was later found by nursing staff.
Nurses at the hospital discovered that the newborn, who was just 5 days old, had suffered two linear fractures to his skull after being left unattended by Solis. The baby had also tested positive for cocaine, fentanyl, and THC and was exhibiting withdrawal symptoms after birth on October 29, 2024. Solis’ negligent actions during the hospital stay caused further harm to the already vulnerable infant, which ultimately led to her guilty plea.
The Mother’s Drug Use and Lack of Prenatal Care
Solis’ history of drug use and failure to seek proper prenatal care was also revealed during the investigation. Solis admitted to using marijuana and heroin while pregnant, and a urine test taken while she was at the hospital after the baby’s birth confirmed the presence of marijuana and fentanyl in her system. She had reportedly avoided prenatal care because she feared child protective services would become involved.
The baby’s testing positive for cocaine, fentanyl, and THC prompted further investigation, revealing that both Solis and her boyfriend, Devin Berg, were using drugs during the hospital stay. Solis admitted that she was using heroin when the baby fell off the bed, leaving him unattended while she used the bathroom. When nurses checked on her at 9 p.m., they found her unconscious and unrousable several hours later when they returned to the room.
The Role of Solis’ Boyfriend, Devin Berg
Solis’ boyfriend, Devin Berg, 25, was also implicated in the incident. He faces charges as a party to the crime of child neglect. According to the complaint, Berg was not present when the baby fell off the bed, but Solis had called him, stating that the nurses were “being ridiculous” about the situation. Berg initially denied any knowledge of Solis’ drug use but later admitted that both he and Solis were daily drug users, with him allegedly supplying her with drugs during the hospital visit.
In a police interview, Berg claimed he was unaware that Solis was using drugs at the time, despite evidence that they had both been using narcotics during the hospital stay. The investigation revealed that drug paraphernalia, including vape devices with suspected THC and a Ziploc bag containing suspected cocaine or fentanyl, were found in Solis’ hospital room by hospital security staff.
The Family’s History and Legal Consequences
In addition to the newborn, Solis and Berg also have a 3-year-old daughter, though it is unclear who took custody of the children following the couple’s arrests. Both parents are facing charges in connection with their actions that led to the injury of their child.
On Monday, Janet Solis pleaded guilty to one count of child neglect causing great bodily harm. She was sentenced to two years in prison with four years of extended supervision. Berg’s case is still open, and he is scheduled to appear in court on November 10.
The Impact of the Neglect and Community Concerns
The case has raised significant concerns within the local community, with many questioning the role of drug addiction in child neglect cases and the vulnerability of infants exposed to such neglect. The baby’s traumatic experience underscores the dangers posed by drug abuse during pregnancy and the lasting impact it can have on a child’s health and safety.
This tragic case highlights the importance of prenatal care, the risks of drug abuse for both the mother and the child, and the need for accountability in cases of child neglect. Solis and Berg’s actions have left an indelible mark on their children’s lives, and as Solis serves her sentence, the community remains shaken by the details of this preventable tragedy.
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