Westmoreland County detectives charged an Arnold woman after her infant tested positive for methamphetamine.
Ariana Carter, 33, was charged with endangering the welfare of children and possession of drug paraphernalia after a ChildLine referral was turned over to the county detective bureau.
A ChildLine report was received by the Westmoreland County Children’s Bureau that said Carter left the hospital against medical advice two days after her child was born. The report also indicated Carter was exposing the baby to drugs, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case.
In April, the infant tested positive for methamphetamine and THC, the complaint said. Carter also allegedly tested positive for THC.
Investigators made multiple attempts to question Carter at her house and at a shelter hearing, according to the complaint, but were unsuccessful.
In May, the baby was drug tested again at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and tested positive for methamphetamine, THC and Benadryl, the complaint said.
County detectives executed a search warrant at Carter’s residence and seized syringes, two meth-smoking pipes, two marijuana pipes and other paraphernalia, according to the complaint.
The Westmoreland County Children’s Bureau took custody of the child, according to the district attorney’s office.
A preliminary hearing for Carter hasn’t been scheduled.
