Mom accused of choking son took meth hours before, police say
A mother accused of trying to choke her seven-week-old son to death told police she took meth hours before.
Savannah Jacobs, 28, appeared in court Thursday and waived her right to hear the charges against her.
Magistrate Kelle Thomas said it appears Jacobs is suffering from some mental health issues.
According to Jacobs’ arrest affidavit, she told police the night before the incident she “ate a small chunk of methamphetamine” and three hours before that “she did a line of meth.”
When she woke up Tuesday morning, Jacobs told police she started to hear voices saying she had forgotten someone’s birthday. She told police, “I hurt my child. I almost tried to kill him.”
Police received a call at 7:36 a.m. Tuesday, but the caller hung up. When dispatch called back, Jacobs answered and said she had just called 911 and said, “I need to call and tell I just tried to kill my son.”
Jacobs told police her son was sleeping when she placed her hands around the baby’s neck.
Noel Baros, a prevention coordinator at the Pueblo Child Advocacy Center, said other parents can learn something from Jacobs’ case.
“Having a new child or even being a mom with a toddler or older kid is always a life-changing event,” Baros said. “It’s normal to feel overwhelmed or stressed in situations while taking care of your children.”
In Jacobs’ case, police said her son didn’t suffer any serious injuries. But child advocates say there are signs to watch for if you suspect abuse.
“If the child is not wanting to go with the parent or they’re lashing out at school — those are usually signs that will start in at the beginning,” Baros said.
Jacobs faces several charges including attempted second-degree murder and child abuse.
A statewide campaign launched by the Colorado Department of Health and Human Services earlier this year aims to get more people to report child abuse. Most of the people who report suspected child abuse are mandated by the state to do so.
“I just think people don’t realize that they can call if they’re not a mandated reporter or more or less they don’t want to be the one to be like, ‘oh you reported me,'” Baros said.
If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, call 1-844-CO-4-KIDS to report abuse.
Additionally, if you know someone who needs help dealing with a mental health issue, there is a crisis hot line number they can call at 844-493-8255 (TALK).
