Pubdate: Tue, 28 Feb 2006
Source: Muskogee Daily Phoenix (OK)
Copyright: 2006 Muskogee Daily Phoenix
Contact: http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3319
Author: D.E. Smoot, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

WOMAN FACES CHARGES FOR CHILD BORN ADDICTED

Law enforcers pledged to crack down on mothers who give birth to 
babies born addicted to drugs and immediately began honoring that 
pledge, filing charges in what one investigator said is the first 
case of this kind in Muskogee County.

Jan Ray, an investigator for the Muskogee County Sheriff's Office, 
said she arrested a woman who gave birth Feb. 13 to a baby addicted 
to methamphetamine. Ray is seeking a second woman for whom an arrest 
warrant has been issued.

According to Ray, Stephanie Miller, 23, was arrested Friday on 
charges of child endangerment and child abuse. Miller is free on $5,000 bond.

The endangerment charge, Ray said, stems from the alleged delivery of 
the drug from the mother to the fetus. The abuse charge stems from 
the "two days of suffering these babies go through during withdrawal."

Ray said authorities from several agencies met last week to discuss 
what they see as a growing problem -- one that has been overlooked.

According to Ray, doctors have a legal duty to report to the 
Department of Human Services any time a newborn baby has been exposed 
to prenatal drug abuse. Ray said once the report is made, DHS 
typically files for an temporary emergency custody order.

While the process did address concerns for the newborn's safety, Ray 
said it did not do anything to deter women from committing similar 
acts in the future.

"These cases have been overlooked," Ray said. "But from now on -- in 
Muskogee County -- any woman who gives birth to a baby addicted to 
these dangerous drugs can expect to have charges filed against them."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman