Hospital: Teen mom put cotton down baby’s throat

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Officials at the Medical University of South Carolina say a 17-year-old mother was arrested after she stuffed cotton down her infant daughter’s mouth, then called for help.

Authorities told WCSC-TV (http://bit.ly/ze4MP0 ) that they put a camera in the baby’s room because the child had suffered several life-threatening episodes.

Officials say they reviewed the video after the most recent problem, and the teen could be seen tearing a cotton ball off a stuffed animal and putting it down her daughter’s throat. Authorities say she waited several seconds, then called for help.

Hospital officials say the teen told them earlier that her daughter had stopped breathing several times, but she was proud of herself because she knew CPR and could revive her.

The mother is charged with unlawful conduct toward a child.