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."