Cocaine-Addicted Baby Taken From Hospital; Mother Sought

A 9-day-old girl who was being treated for cocaine addiction was taken from Paradise Valley Hospital in National City on Friday afternoon by her mother, police said.

Angelica Denise Smith must receive medication by 1 p.m. today or will begin to suffer withdrawal that could lead to convulsions and death, according to Detective Dennis Holt.

The child’s mother, Renita Cheryl Smith, 25, walked out of the hospital with the baby about 2:45 p.m., Holt said. Smith had been allowed into the hospital nursery for a visit scheduled by the county’s Child Protective Services, which took custody of Angelica shortly after her birth because of the addiction, Holt said.

A witness saw Smith leave the nursery with the baby, Holt said. National City police were contacted within minutes but have been unable to find the mother, who has several known home addresses. Police think Smith is staying with a relative, Holt said.

He asked that anyone with information about the child or her mother call National City police at 336-4411. Smith is described as black, 5 feet, 3 inches tall and about 115 pounds.