Woman arrested after newborn tests positive for cocaine
Florence County Detention Center
Melissa Lee Dale
Published: August 14, 2009
Updated: August 15, 2009
A Timmonsville woman was arrested Friday after cocaine was found in her newborn baby’s body, Florence County Sheriff’s Capt. Mike Nunn said.
Melissa Lee Dale, 29, of 2330 Southern Aire Road, is charged with unlawful neglect of a child by a legal custodian, Florence County Detention Center booking reports show.
The warrant alleges the suspect placed her unborn child at unreasonable risk of harm affecting the child’s life, physical or mental health or safety by using illegal drugs while pregnant. The infant tested positive for cocaine at birth, Nunn said.
Under state law, the charge is felony punishable by a fine at the discretion of the court, by imprisonment for not more than 10 years or both, Nunn said.
Dale remains in custody at the jail in Effingham awaiting a bond hearing.
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Reader Reactions
Normally I would not reply to this, but I just noticed Lisa’s remark. Lisa is known for bashing all black people. Had this been a black person, would you be so simpathetic towards the mother, or would you do as you normally do and say some type of stupid rascist remark? Just wondering.
Oh by the way, she does need help, but she have to want to be helped.
SO SAD. NEED TO MAKE SURE SHE GETS HELP, JUST DON’T LOCK HER AWAY. IF SHE COULD HAVE HELPED HERSELF, I AM SURE SHE WOULDNT HAVE CHOSEN TO DO COCAINE WHILE CARRYING HER BABY.
It’s a shame, such a pretty girl. There is so much help out there that is avaiable for drug and alcohol abuse. So sorry for the family.
Two cases of this in one week.
Is there routine drug screening on newborns now?
Good.
(Maybe staff reporters can report on that).
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