Girl Drinks Hydrochloric Acid

WEAVER, Ala. (AP) - An 11-year-old Calhoun County girl is listed
in critical condition today after picking up a soda bottle while
playing outside her home and drinking a liquid that turned out to
be hydrochloric acid used to make methamphetamine.
Weaver police said meth labs were found Wednesday in a nearby
camper where the girl's cousin lived and that charges are expected
to be filed against him. He fled before officers arrived and
remains at large.
Kristen Michelle Kelley of Weaver is being treated at Children's
Hospital in Birmingham. Family members said she suffered severe
injuries to her throat and stomach.
Police said the girl's cousin will be charged with first-degree
assault if the child survives. More serious charges could be filed
if the youngster dies.
Officers said nothing drug-related was found in the family's
home and no charges were filed against the parents, who had allowed
the nephew to move the camper onto their property.