Sayyadina Thomas was arrested after walking up to a random 2-year-old boy at People’s Park in Berkeley, California, and shoving crystal meth in the toddler’s mouth. The boy and another child, age 3, were playing at the park with a nanny when the incident occurred.
According to ABC 7 Eyewitness News , Monday would not be an ordinary day for a nanny looking after a 2-year-old boy. They went to the park so the toddler could play. However, that is when it turned into a nightmare. Thirty-six-year-old Sayyadina Thomas went up to the little boy and shoved meth in his mouth, forcing him to swallow it. Not only is this shocking and horrifying, but police are worried this isn’t the first time. A witness who saw what happened, only identified as Jamison, recalls the incident.
“She just walked up to him and grabbed him… she just stuck her hands in his mouth.”
Law enforcement officials say that Thomas didn’t just stick her hands in the boy’s mouth. According to Berkelyside , at the time, the boy swallowed an unknown substance and the nanny took the boy home. Sayyadina initially told police she gave the child a Tootsie Roll. However, she informed paramedics that she actually fed the child crystal meth. The Oakland Fire Department was sent to get the child and transport him to the hospital. The toddler was given a urine test, which came up positive for amphetamines.
Sayyadina is no stranger to trouble. Jamison says that the accused is known around the area. Not only is she a frequent visitor the People’s Park, but she lives there. The witness says Thomas steals everyone’s belongings and is mentally unstable.
“It was kind of messed up. She’s not a very good person. She steals everyone’s stuff. She runs around talking to herself. She’s crazy.”
Police are also familiar with Thomas. She has a long history of getting into trouble with the law. Her criminal history includes trespassing, probation violations, battery, resisting arrest, and indecent exposure.
A 2yr old boy playing @PeoplesPark playground was forced to swallow meth. #Suspect caught. @UCPD_Cal worry this isn’t the first time. pic.twitter.com/HyHxIiB4Y8
— Lisa Amin Gulezian (@LisaAminABC7) June 7, 2017
Everyone in the area is horrified by what happened. A resident of Berkeley, Joanna Garcia, says it is shocking. She can’t believe that someone would actually target a child.
“It’s really sad, that’s what it is. Very sad… along with a lot of stuff that probably happens here in the park. I was telling my friend about it… just really shocking that would happen, especially a child would be targeted.”
Sayyadina Thomas was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Officer John Caires stated in court documents that the reason for the attempted murder charge was because the boy was forced to swallow the drug. Being only 2-years-old, it put him at high risk of overdosing or even death. The court documents also reveal that the nanny “did not appear to be aware that People’s Park is frequently used by drug users and the mentally ill.”
On Wednesday, Alameda County district attorney’s office charged Thomas with felony child endangerment and giving a child a controlled substance on a playground. When she was arrested on Monday, she was already on probation for resisting arrest and injuring a peace officer.
Sayyadina Thomas Arrested for Allegedly Feeding Methamphetamine to a Toddler at People’s… https://t.co/5fs8xgb8Dy pic.twitter.com/FuyHPnRKHc
— Fugitive Watch (@FugitiveWatch) June 7, 2017
The 2-year-old has been released from the hospital and is resting at home. According to users on Reddit , People’s Park is a dangerous place for children to play. Although everyone is angry and horrified, there are some residents that have expressed hope that it would force officials to clean up the playground.
What are your thoughts on Sayyadina Thomas forcing a 2-year-old boy to swallow crystal meth? Should the 36-year-old have been charged with attempted murder instead of child endangerment?
[Featured Image by University of California Police Department/AP Images]