WOMAN ACCUSED OF USING DAUGHTER

DES MOINES, Iowa - A woman settled a drug debt by loaning her
11- year-old daughter to dealers who outfitted the girl with
drug-laden shoes and used her to mask their crimes, federal
authorities said.

"That 11-year-old was used specifically as cover to reduce the risk of
detection in the event that the drug activity was detected by law
enforcement," U.S. Attorney Don Nickerson said Thursday.

The mother, Rhonda Cochran, 34, was charged with methamphetamine
trafficking and use of a minor in connection with the case, as were
Luis Cautino, 31; Jodie Bowden, 24; and Kevin Lyman, 44. All live in
Des Moines.

The four, arrested Wednesday, could get life in prison if convicted
because of enhanced penalties when children are involved in illegal
drug activity, Nickerson said.

Court documents said Ms. Cochran, to settle a debt to Cautino, agreed
to let him take her daughter to California last weekend where,
accompanied by Ms. Bowden, he picked up drugs.

While in California, the girl was given new white platform shoes in
which drugs were hidden, Nickerson said.

"En route back to Des Moines," a criminal complaint alleges, "the
child noticed that there was new glue on the shoes and that they were
extremely heavy and hurt her feet."

Officers who searched Lyman's home Wednesday found four pounds of
methamphetamine, three ounces of cocaine and several pairs of
children's tennis shoes that were used to conceal the drugs.

The girl and a 5-year-old sister have been placed in foster
care.