Mother jailed for 180 days for injecting sick child's feeding tube with Benadryl

Jessica Valik, 26, has already served 173 days behind bars

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A mother who was originally sentenced to 180 days in prison for making her already-sick child more unwell will serve just another seven days behind bars.

Jessica Valik was ordered by a court in Ohio to be locked away for injecting her four-year-old son's feeding tube with Benadryl, while he was being treated at Cincinnati Children's Hospital for epidermolysis bullosa - a rare skin disorder that causes scarring, painful blistering and missing skin.

The additional drug caused diarrhea and dehyrdration, and put the child at risk of infection, pain and life-threatening complications, according to court documents, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

The 26-year-old pleaded guilty to misdemeanor child endangering - which under Ohio law carries a maximum sentence of 180 days.

But Valik, who comes from Syracuse, Ohio, has already served 173 days in Hamilton County Jail and so will be released next week.

A social worker reported that the little boy's condition had improved since the incident last year.

But Valik is not allowed back on the hospital grounds and Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Robert Winkler said she would face criminal trespassing charges if she ventured onto hospital property.

Hospital social worker Kelly Baker said in court on Tuesday that Valik was "constantly demanding sedatives and tranquilisers” for the boy - and insisted on bathing him every day, even though it was not recommended by hospital staff and “likely put (him) through more pain.”

Valik's lawyer, Massimino Ionna, said she was merely trying to help her son because his skin condition causes such constant itching and pain.

He said that “a lot of parents in this situation administer Benadryl to help with the symptoms”.

Prosecutors dropped an earlier and more serious assault charge, saying there were “complications” with pursuing the case further, the Enquirer reported.

Officials said that Valik's father was pursuing guardianship of the boy.