Nationwide — Octavia Robinson, an African American mother from Fayetteville, North Carolina, has been charged after reportedly giving her two young sons cream soda mixed with lighter fluid. The children, ages 6 and 10, were placed in the custody of the Department of Social Services after the younger boy reportedly drank some of the contaminated beverage.
Robinson faced two misdemeanor counts of child abuse and two felony counts of distributing food containing a noxious or harmful substance in 2018. Arrest warrants from the Cumberland County Magistrate’s Office said she created a substantial risk of physical injury to the children by giving them lighter fluid to consume. She was arrested the following day after police investigated the allegations.
The situation came to light when the 10-year-old went to a neighbor for help. The boy reportedly knocked on Tracy Madison’s door and told her that his mother had given him something to drink, but the beverage smelled unusual. Madison said she had been looking after the boys while Robinson was away and had told them they could come to her if they needed help.
After speaking with the boy, Madison went to Robinson’s room to check on the situation. She said Robinson would not let her inside, so she contacted 911. When the soda bottle was opened, Madison described a strong smell that caused discomfort. She said the liquid appeared to have affected her stomach, adding to her concern that something harmful had been mixed into the drink.
The younger boy had reportedly swallowed some of the beverage before help arrived. He was taken to a hospital for treatment after the exposure. The poisoning allegation came only hours after Robinson had been released from a hospital, where police said she had been taken for an evaluation following violent threats. The timing of her release and the later incident became part of the circumstances surrounding the case.
Robinson was later taken into custody and appeared in court. During the hearing, she reportedly yelled at the judge and said she no longer wanted her children. The two boys remained in DSS custody as the criminal case moved forward. The charges accused Robinson of putting both children at risk by allegedly giving them a drink containing lighter fluid.