Woman Facing Drug Charges After Child Found Neglected
Drug possession charges may seem trivial, but they can be considered a big deal when charged in connection with another crime, such as child neglect.
Indeed, many parents neglect their children because they are addicted to substances such as alcohol or drugs. Florida police responded to a case of child neglect and discovered drugs in the child’s home.
Officers from the Lynn Haven Police Department were called to a home after neighbors spotted a young child outside of the home unsupervised. The child was playing alone in bushes next to the house.
Officers arrived at the home, located on Delaware Avenue. Because the home had been the subject of narcotics investigations in the past, officers went inside and conducted a welfare check. They found another small child, who was also unsupervised. The children’s mother was asleep and did not know where the children were.
Officers obtained a search warrant. Police searched the home and found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The children’s mother, a 35-year-old woman, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and child neglect.
The woman was booked into the Bay County Jail. The Florida Department of Children and Families has been actively involved in the case.
Meth Possession in Florida
In Florida, possession of methamphetamine — even a small amount — is a serious criminal offense. Simple possession (under 14g) is classified as a third-degree felony. Penalties may include up to five years in prison, up to five years of probation, and a $5,000 fine. A driver’s license suspension may also apply. Note that the mixture’s total weight counts, even if not all is pure meth.
When there are 14 grams or more of meth, the charge escalates to trafficking, even without intent to sell.
Minimum mandatory prison terms apply:
- 14 to 28 grams: minimum three years, up to 30 years; fine up to $50,000
- 28 to 200 grams: minimum seven years, up to 30 years; fine up to $100,000
- 200 grams or more: minimum 15 years, up to 30 years; fine up to $250,000
- 400 grams or more: life imprisonment or the death penalty
Legal defenses may include the following:
- Challenging lawful possession, such as no knowledge or control of the substance
- Challenging the search or seizure through Fourth Amendment violations
- In trafficking cases, providing assistance to authorities may allow prosecutors to seek a departure from mandatory minimum sentences
Contact Us Today
Drug possession charges can range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the type and amount of the substance involved. When child neglect charges are also in play, enhanced penalties may also come into effect.
A Fort Myers drug possession attorney from Hollander & Hanuka will help you fight for your rights in and out of court. To schedule a consultation, give us a call at (239) 332-3300.
Source:
wjhg.com/2025/06/13/lynn-haven-mother-arrested-child-neglect-drug-possession/
