Mother of 6-year-old seen drinking alcohol at gas station in disbelief after seeing video
Kasey Hill said she was in disbelief when she first saw the video of her 6-year-old son walking around a Butler County gas station drinking a bottle of Smirnoff Ice. Witnesses said he even offered some to another customer.
"When I watched the video, it was firmly a bottle and a 6-year-old is not going to be able to open a bottle of beer," Hill said.
Hill said she allowed her son to stay with his father and grandmother during the last few weeks of summer break. Hill said she had no idea the child's father would allow another woman to care for the boy.
According to investigators, Victoria Hampton had been watching the child on the night of Aug. 5, and they said she gave him the alcohol after buying it at the Marathon in Hanover Township.
"You might as well just give him drugs. To me, it's the same thing. He's 6. You're impairing his judgment either way," Hill said.
Marathon employees called 911 to report Hampton. Hill said she is grateful for that.
"She's just sitting in the car. He's drinking a beer," the caller said.
Butler County sheriff's deputies arrived. Hampton reportedly said it was a mistake, and they were allowed to leave.
Employees though were angry about what they witnessed. They asked deputies to issue Hampton a no trespassing order.
When deputies showed up at her home, they say they found the child on a scooter, in the middle of the road, drinking another Smirnoff Ice. Hampton was then arrested and charged with child endangering and contributing to the delinquency of a child.
According to a police report obtained by WLWT, the child told deputies Hampton gave him Smirnoff Ice before because "it helps him sleep at night."
"I don't think I have the full story on what happened with my baby," Hill said.
In court on Monday, Butler County juvenile court judge Kathleen Romans denied Hampton's request to be released on her own recognizance. She continues to be held on a $5,000 bond. If she posts bond, she was ordered not to have any contact with juveniles including her own children
WLWT did confirm, that just five days before the incident, one of Hampton's relatives called the Butler County Sheriff's Office asking for a wellness check. The woman who called said she was concerned for a child who had been staying there.
A relative of Hampton's said they were told everything was fine at the home. Hill said she would like to know why she was never notified about that.
As for her son, Hill said he is back with her and started school. Hill said he's surrounded by positive influences, including one of his favorite people who he couldn't wait to see Monday, Middletown Police SRO, Officer Kirby.