JONES COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) - Two mothers are in custody in Jones County after their newborn children tested positive for methamphetamine.
According to the Jones County Sheriff’s Department, Child Protective Services forwarded referral packets to both 24-year-old Kelly Baldridge, of Ellisville, and 24-year-old Summer Myrick, of Laurel, after the births of their children. Baldridge gave birth to one child while Myrick gave birth to twins.
JCSD Administrator Lance Chancellor says all three babies tested positive for meth in their systems, and they’re all currently in CPS protective custody.
“If parents continue to expose their kids to drugs, then we will come for you,” said JCSD Criminal Investigations Division Investigator, Sgt. J.D. Carter. “The pity party is over when I’m knocking on your door.”
Both mothers were arrested, with Baldridge being charged with one count of child abuse involving her newborn baby, while Myrick was charged with two counts of child abuse involving her twin newborns.
“There is absolutely no excuse for these babies to be born with illegal narcotics in their systems. We have zero-tolerance for this type of criminal behavior,” said Jones County Sheriff Joe Berlin. “It is so sickening to imagine what these babies are going through with methamphetamine in their tiny bodies. God help them.”
Carter added that this type of crime seems to be on the rise.
”I’m sure Jones County is not the only area that is troubled with this type of incident,” said Carter. “We’re just fortunate enough to work with CPS in Jones County who immediately calls us after they get the reports and send a referral. We’re very fortunate with that. It’s starting to become a lot more common during the pandemic of drug use.”
Chancellor says the mothers’ will make their initial appearance in Jones County Justice Court Wednesday at 1 p.m.
