Pubdate: Wed, 10 May 2006
Source: Springfield News-Leader (MO)
Copyright: 2006 The Springfield News-Leader
Contact:  http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1129
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

COUNTY POLICY SEES FIRST SENTENCE

Springfield Woman Gets 5 Years' Probation Under Policy Targeting 
Pregnant Drug Users

The first person charged under Greene County's new policy targeting 
mothers who use illegal drugs during pregnancy must stay clean for 
five years or be sentenced to up to seven years in prison, according 
to a plea agreement.

Sarah A. Weese, 19, of Springfield was granted a suspended imposition 
of sentence and placed on five years' probation during a sentencing 
hearing before Greene County Judge Calvin Holden.

Weese pleaded guilty in March to the Class C felony of child 
endangerment after she and her newborn baby tested positive for 
methamphetamine.

She also pleaded guilty to a class D felony offense of interference 
with custody involving her 3-year-old child.

Under the terms of a plea agreement, she must undergo parenting 
classes and drug treatment and stay clean of drugs and alcohol.

Weese was charged under a new policy targeting mothers who use 
illegal drugs shortly before giving birth.

At the time Weese was charged, Greene County Assistant Prosecutor 
Jill Patterson said that as part of the new effort, police would 
respond when a new mother tests positive for drugs -- a similar 
system triggers newborn crisis assessments by the Missouri Department 
of Social Services' Children's Division.

Patterson said officers won't be looking at tests taken as part of 
prenatal care.

"We don't want to discourage prenatal care ... I don't think having a 
policy that says we're looking at people who test positive at birth 
should do that," Patterson said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman