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A Melcher-Dallas woman was arrested after a child left in her care was rescued by the Pella Police Department seemingly under the influence of methamphetamine earlier this week.
Kimberly Ann Laird, 47, faces one count of neglect or abandonment of a dependent person, a Class C felony. On Monday evening, Pella Police found a young child actively hallucinating and out of control. Tests at Pella Regional Health Center confirmed the minor was likely under the influence of meth. Police allege the child was previously being cared for by Laird at a residence elsewhere in Marion County.
In a follow up with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, police claim that Laird admitted to using a bong to ingest narcotics, and emptied the device into a drinking glass and that the victim ingested the fluid. Court records indicate the child had a variety of hallucinations and was combative with hospital staff, and had a heart rate well above normal for an individual that age.
A search warrant executed at Laird’s residence later included the discovery of drug paraphernalia that field tested positive for methamphetamine. An additional charge of possession of drug paraphernalia has also been included in relation to this arrest.