Cops: Girl, 3, ingests crack at Philadelphia day-care

An investigation is underway to determine how a 3-year-old girl was able to get her hands on and swallow an unknown amount of crack cocaine at a West Philadelphia day care center.

The incident occurred about 9 a.m. Tuesday the Work of Learning Early day care center on 52nd Street near Haverford Avenue, police said.

Police credited a center worker with getting the child quickly to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia after she saw the girl gnawing on a packet with a white residue.

The child tested positive for cocaine and doctors notified police.

The girl was held overnight at the hospital and was being monitored.

Lt. John Walker of Southwest Detectives told reporters police are working to determine where the crack came from.

He said child welfare agencies also were involved in the investigation.