Johnston mother charged with child neglect after boy ingests cocaine

JOHNSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — A Johnston mother in a whole heap of trouble after she’s arrested for felony child neglect. She lost custody of her 3-year-old after the little boy was found with drugs in his system.

Tina Tucker’s dad was surprised to learn about all of the charges against her. While he’s not defending his daughter or planning to let her live under his roof again, he says his grandson, despite having cocaine in his system, was not abused.

A rude awakening for a Johnston man. He spent the day fixing the door to the basement apartment his daughter lives in after it was kicked down by police, the 36-year-old woman arrested.

“It’s just unbelievable it’s hard to take right now,” says Frank Tucker, the woman’s father.

Tina Tucker is being charged with felony child neglect plus a misdemeanor “procurement of sex for a fee.”

Her father Frank admits she has addiction problems and has been arrested in the past but since she has a separate entrance and apartment, he claims he had no clue about what was going on.

“No, to be honest with you. I keep to myself up there she had her place down there,” he says.

After the arrest, Tucker’s 3 year old son was taken away by the DCYF. According to police, the little boy had cocaine in his system. His grandfather found that out from the media.

“That really bothers me, I can’t. Wow,” says Tucker.

Despite that stunner, he says he sees his grandson everyday and he’s taken care of.

“I can’t say she abused that kid at all, I just can’t. I see him everyday. He’s autistic, he takes a little time but the kid’s an angel, he’s got a heart of gold, he’s not bruised or nothing,” says Tucker.

Frank Tucker says the last he heard his grandson was staying with his grandmother.

As for his daughter, she didn’t post bail and according to the clerk’s office was transferred to the hospital. They wouldn’t say why.

© WLNE/ABC 6 2018