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Mother of Two Arrested While Attempting to Smoke Marijuana While Toddlers and Teen in Car
Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports the arrest of a 27-year-old Connecticut woman after she was found sitting in a parked car preparing to light a marijuana cigar while her two infant children and teenage nephew occupied the vehicle.
The Sheriff reports that at about 4pm on April 4, 2008, an undercover member of the Sheriff's Narcotics Enforcement Unit was conducting a routine parking lot check in the Town of Southeast, when he observed a female seated in a parked vehicle with what is believed to be a cigar containing marijuana. The marijuana cigar was located in plain view on the armrest of the car. The woman was preparing to light the marihuana cigar as the undercover deputy approached her.
While conducting the field investigation, the deputy determined that Omayra Marrero of Ansonia, Connecticut, had her 3-year-old son and 15-monthold daughter, as well as, her 16-year-old nephew seated in the vehicle while she prepared to smoke the marihuana. Upon further inspection, she was found to be in possession of a clear plastic baggie containing an additional quantity of marijuana.
Ms. Marrero was arrested and charged with multiple counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class "A" misdemeanor, and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, a violation of the New York State Penal Law. She was transported to the Sheriff's Office in Carmel where she was processed and released after posting $100 cash bail. She is due to appear in Southeast Justice Court at a later date.
The children were turned over to the custody of their father at the scene of the incident. The undercover deputy reported the incident to both the New York State and Connecticut Child Protective Service Agencies for follow up action.
If convicted of a single count of the most serious charge, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, the court may impose a term of imprisonment for up to one year in the Putnam County Correctional Facility.
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