Mississippi woman charged with felony child abuse. Officials say child not bathed in several weeks; drug paraphernalia found nearby.

Published 9:03 am Saturday, January 6, 2024

A Mississippi woman is facing a felony child abuse charge after a welfare check by Vicksburg Police Department (VPD) yielded numerous instances of child endangerment.

According to VPD, on Sun., Dec. 28, narcotics investigators conducted a welfare check at the mobile home of 36-year-old Samantha Moore, of Vicksburg, and found her 17-month-old child appearing “to not have been bathed in several weeks, due to the dirty clothing and state of appearance the child was in.”

Investigators went on to report, “Drug paraphernalia and drug residue was in the direct presence of the 17-month-old child, who had not received medical care in quite some time.”

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VPD officials said Moore admitted to smoking methamphetamine and marijuana in the child’s presence on “multiple occasions.”

Child Protective Services was notified and the child was placed in the care of family members.

Moore was arrested and charged with felony child abuse, VPD officials said, adding the arrest was made on Lawland Drive with the assistance of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

Moore’s bond was set at $250,000 by Municipal Court Judge Penny Lawson Friday.

Moore is to have no contact with the child, or other minor children, per Lawson’s order.

Moore is bound over to the Warren County Grand Jury.