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Woman charged with murder after premature twins, born with several drugs in systems, die

Posted at 8:52 PM, Jul 24, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-24 20:52:23-04

Tiffany Marie Roberts (Courtesy: Hamilton County Sheriffs Office)

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A Tennessee woman is facing multiple charges – including murder – in the deaths of her premature newborn twins, both of whom were born with multiple drugs in their systems.

According to WTVC, 29-year-old Tiffany Marie Roberts had gone in for check-ups prior to the twins’ birth and, on three different occasions, tested positive for cocaine, oxycodone, Roxicodone, methamphetamine and benzodiazepine usage while pregnant.

Sunday, the day of the babies’ births, Roberts reportedly admitted to taking ecstasy and immediately felt short of breath, prompting her to go to the hospital.

Related: Experts say the opioid crisis puts strain on Virginia foster care system

She gave birth to the twins, who died at a children’s hospital two days later, nine hours apart.

Police were called to investigate and learned both infants tested positive for “several narcotics,” including cocaine, at the time of their birth.

Roberts was arrested and charged with viable fetus as victim, aggravated child abuse or neglect and first-degree murder.