• Two children hospitalized after taking their mother’s medication
• Mother faces charges of neglect and endangering children

A mother from Tennessee, USA, faces criminal charges after her two children were removed from her custody for ingesting her prescription medication, which led to their hospitalization.

The children, both under the age of eight, were placed under the care of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services after their mother failed a substance test, according to reports.

Candice Hickson is accused of child neglect and endangerment, with bail set at $25,000.

District Attorney Frederick Aggi said: “Our office will prosecute this case according to the law, while balancing the need to assist Ms. Hickson in obtaining treatment for her addiction so that she may eventually reunite with her children in a safe environment.”

The arrest report stated that Hickson called 911 last week to report a possible overdose after her children ingested the medication at their home in Milan, Tennessee.

Upon police arrival, the children were unconscious. Hickson told officers that the children had accessed the medication while she went to the bathroom and that she was unsure how many pills they had taken.

Hickson is expected to appear again before Gibson County Court on December 16, and no attorney has been reported for her.