Traverse City Record-Eagle

Michigan

March 31, 2012

Man accused of giving grandson, 1, fatal drug cocktail

----

GAINES TOWNSHIP (AP) — A West Michigan man whose 1-year-old grandson died after drinking a cup of juice containing crushed morphine and allergy pills has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, authorities said.

Gregg Busby, 59, was arraigned by video in Kent County District Court in the Feb. 10 death of Antonio Garcia-Lazarski, The Grand Rapids Press reported. According to court records, Busby indicated he gave the child the mixture to calm him and make him feel better the day before his death.

"Any of us standing here would have to really, consciously think what the purpose was," said Kent County Undersheriff Jon Hess. "It's hard for any of us to understand."

Busby and another grandparent were caring for the child at a mobile home in Gaines Township at the time, authorities said. Emergency crews called to the home found the child dead, but during the initial investigation authorities said they weren't told the child had ingested morphine or the allergy medicine, Benadryl.

Busby's first name is listed as Greg in some records. A message seeking information on whether he has a lawyer was left by The Associated Press with the Kent County sheriff's department.

Busby was in custody Friday at a Jackson-area prison facility, according to Russ Marlan, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Corrections. Busby had been on parole since last year after serving time in a forgery and counterfeiting case, and initially was held this month on a parole violation.

According to authorities, Busby told them about the drugs after a medical examiner on March 6 reported the results of toxicology tests following the child's death. The child had a hereditary disease that affected his lungs and bones, but morphine wasn't one of the medications he was prescribed.

The morphine pills belonged to the child's grandmother, who isn't charged, authorities said.

Text Only