Child abuse charged

A Union City woman was arrested early today on a warrant charging her with child abuse in connection with her baby’s alleged exposure to an illegal drug.
Miranda Leann Yates, who turns 28 today, of 520 North First St., Union City, was arrested about 4:30 a.m. today on warrants charging her with aggravated child abuse and theft over $1,000, according to a Union City Police Department report.
The charges stem from an investigation police launched Sept. 18 into possible drug exposure to Ms. Yates’ eight-week-old baby. At that time, police took photos of a bedroom used by Ms. Yates and her baby and alleged evidence of drug paraphernalia on a nightstand by the bed, according to the report.
A drug screen was subsequently done on the baby, with the results testing positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine. The report indicated police believe the child has been exposed to “a dangerous level” of methamphetamine. Police obtained a warrant for Ms. Yates on Oct. 2.
On Oct. 3, police discovered a family member of Ms. Yates apparently had told her about her pending arrest and Ms. Yates allegedly stole her grandmother’s vehicle and left. She was entered into the National Crime Information Center computer to alert other law enforcement agencies of the warrants against her.
Ms. Yates was taken into custody early today in Benton County, where the stolen vehicle was also recovered. She was returned to the Obion County Law Enforcement Complex.

Published in The Messenger 10.10.12

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