momcat54's Blog

A teenager pleaded guilty on Thursday to charges that he coerced his two young nephews into smoking marijuana.

Demetris McCoy will serve a decreased prison sentence as part of a deal with prosecutors that will have him testifying against another defendant, according to his lawyer.

Ruben Gonzalez said his client would serve three eight-year sentences to be served consecutively for two counts of child endangerment and two counts of burglary.

In exchange for the eight-year sentence, McCoy will testify against his friend, Vanswan Polty.

The two teens were captured on video teaching and encouraging a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old to smoke marijuana, police said.

Fort Worth police seized the video after searching a home in Wautaga in February 2007.

The video generated nationwide outrage because it showed the McCoy, 17 and Polty, 18, allegedly holding a marijuana-filled cigar in the boys' mouths and lighting it.

Police said Polty and McCoy badgered the little boys into getting high.

The children appeared to be familiar with smoking and coughed when they inhaled.

After the tape surfaced, Child Protective Services gained custody of the boys.  Subsequent blood tests on the children revealed that they also had cocaine in their systems.

In a jail house interview on March 22, 2007, McCoy said it's common where he comes from for children to do drugs.

"I see it all the time," he said.

McCoy also said that he was high when he was encouraging the boys to smoke pot.

The boys' mother told police she was asleep in another part of the home and was unaware of what was happening. She relinquished her parental rights in December 2007.

Not to say I taught some bad kids but let us say I am well aquainted with one of  these young men and totally unsurprised by  what he did.It is really very sad. sometimes no matter how hard you try there are some children you cannot save. It is generational and a more than uphill battle but you cannot help those who will not help themselves.