Ohio man sentenced to 4 yrs. in toddler drug death

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Sep 5, 2008 at 8:11 AM EST

Story Updated: Sep 5, 2008 at 8:11 AM EST

NEWARK, Ohio (AP) — A central Ohio man has been sentenced to four years in prison for his 2-year-old son's death from drinking liquid methadone.

Thirty-four-year-old Daniel Masters of Newark will be eligible for early release after one year.

Licking County Prosecutor Dan Huston says he wants the full term served, calling the child's death "a preventable accident."

Masters pleaded guilty last month to involuntary manslaughter in the death of Benjamin Masters on March 10. During Thursday's hearing, the father said he didn't realize his prescription methadone had been consumed by the toddler.

Police say Masters had briefly left the boy alone in a bathroom with an open bottle of the drug. A defense lawyer said Masters was taking it for pain from an industrial accident.

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Information from: The Advocate, http://www.newarkadvocate.com

Tuesday, Sep 9 at 5:42 AM harlie jaine wrote ...

Are none of you parents? Do you really think that any given amount of time is going to compare to the pain that he has to deal with on a daily baises? There will be no catch, bugs, fishin, nothing! Trying to cope with that, and due to his own wrong doing, would be more hell than any judge could hand out! Now please dont think I'm sayin this man should go unpunished! I am on a methadone program, and would NEVER put a closed, locked, or glued bottle anywhere near my youngins! God bless em both!

Monday, Sep 8 at 5:43 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I believe this man should have a lot more years than four. You never leave a toddler alone for even a minute with open bottles of drugs lying around.

Monday, Sep 8 at 12:00 PM mommy of 3 wrote ...

their is a difference here between beating death of a child and overdose. this guy should get a long time in the slamer though. not only did he allow access but then oncee figured out if he did what happened was medical treatment given? I know it works quick but unless he was drugged he should have been able to tell cause it was moved or the child was very sleepy. why take this while being responsible for a little life not all men are careless Julie just like not all moms are perfect

Monday, Sep 8 at 7:41 AM bee wrote ...

no doubt this man deserves his punishment,but think of the drug involved.he was probably high and didnt know.people on methodone are prone to have their face fall in their food.he should not have been left alone with this child being on that drug and it was obvius he just took it, cause it was opened.i agree its nothing like beating a child to death either.that guy knew what he was doing.this guy was probably wasted.i know too many people who use this n they dont even know what planet theyre on.

Sunday, Sep 7 at 6:54 AM Julie wrote ...

More proof that men just don't think where children are involved...

Saturday, Sep 6 at 10:10 AM tom wrote ...

maybe fellow prisoners will give some counseling for his deeds....lol

Friday, Sep 5 at 7:02 PM JoJo wrote ...

I have to agree with Linda. When you have toddlers around all cabinets locked and all drugs put away. Anything less is asking for something to happen.

Friday, Sep 5 at 4:21 PM normal guy wrote ...

I sure am glad CeeCeee isn't on a jury around here. There is a big difference in accidentally leaving a bottle somewhere carelessly and beating someone with your fists. He doubt he deserces some punishment here.

Friday, Sep 5 at 12:54 PM CeeCee wrote ...

What;s wribg with this picture. He only gets four years yet in another story another man gets life for the beating death of a toddler. To me there is no difference. An innocent child died at the hands of a low life. Both should be put away for life.

Friday, Sep 5 at 9:34 AM Linda wrote ...

Sounds very fishy to me. Why would anyone leave an open container of a lethal pain killer knowing you have a toddler running around? He should get a hell of a lot more than 4 years just for his shear stupidity alone!

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