Mother in US under investigation for photo of her baby ’smoking’ bong pipe

MELBOURNE - A mother in the US, who posted a picture of her 11-month-old son smoking a bong, has come under investigation.

According to Sky News, the picture, which was widely circulated on the Internet, showed a baby in a diaper with the green, glass instrument at his mouth as if he were inhaling.

The 19-year-old mother from Keystone Heights, Florida, claims there were no drugs or tobacco in the bowl, and that her child was not breathing in smoke.

But the photograph has triggered an investigation by child protection officers from the Florida Department of Children and Families.

“We are alarmed that any parent would take pictures of their child next to what is obviously drug paraphernalia,” News.com.au quoted department spokesman John Harrell as saying.

He said that the unnamed woman could face serious charges if drugs were used by, or found near, the baby.

The mother talked to news station WJXT via Facebook, and insisted that the pictures were a joke, to show one person and that she would never put her child in harm’s way.

The woman said that as part of the investigation she has been ordered to take a drugs test, and that doctors were checking her son. (ANI)