By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
An Atmore woman was arrested May 2 on a chemical endangerment charge, more than eight months after her newborn baby was found to have cocaine in its system.
Police Sgt. Darrell McMann reported that Daphne Powers, 33, was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center on one count of chemical endangerment of a child.
Under Alabama law, chemical endangerment of a child is a Class C felony, punishable upon conviction by “at least one (1) year and one (1) day up to ten (10) years” in prison. A fine of up to $15,000 could also be imposed.
Such a crime occurs when a person “knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally causes or permits a child to be exposed to, to ingest or inhale, or to have contact with a controlled substance, chemical substance, or drug paraphernalia.”
McMann said city police were contacted by the Alabama Department of Human Resources personnel about a baby who was born August 24, 2021, with cocaine in its system.
Powers reportedly admitted to DHR and police investigators that she used cocaine during her pregnancy, and a warrant was issued for her arrest.
An employee of the county jail’s booking and release division said Powers remained in the facility, under a $25,000 bond, at midday Monday, May 9.
[…] source […]