Paragraph 7 reads: "Mayercik questioned the mother who admitted smoking marijuana the night before and taking medication for depression that makes her sleepy."

http://www.murfreesboropost.com/news.php?viewStory=17218

Neglect charges pending against mother
By: Lisa Marchesoni
Posted: Monday, May 18, 2009 2:19 pm

Charges are pending against a mother accused of neglecting her 6-year-old autistic son and a toddler Saturday at her home off Jefferson Pike, a sheriff’s detective said.

Detective Ralph Mayercik said he plans to charge the mother after completing his investigation. This is the second time this year deputies responded to the mother’s children wandering in the neighborhood.

Deputies responded about 3 p.m. Saturday to Stones Throw Road after witnesses reported the boy wearing only a pull-up diaper roamed the neighborhood close to busy Jefferson Pike, Cpl. Nathan Pagel reported.

Deputy Michael Greenwood located the child with scratches on his face and body. Emergency Medical Services paramedics Clay Jackson and Bryan Chew checked the boy.

Pagel tried to get someone to answer the door of the boy’s home and entered a window. He found the toddler and the 27-year-old mother sleeping in the garage with a space heater running on high within one foot of them. He awoke the mother and asked her where her son was.

“She responded she did not know and had been sleeping,” Pagel reported.

Mayercik questioned the mother who admitted smoking marijuana the night before and taking medication for depression that makes her sleepy.

Deputy Greenwood located a metal tin with what appeared to be marijuana residue next to the bed. After searching the house, Mayercik found marijuana in a bag.

“We also located two milk bottles containing what appeared to be spoiled milk,” Pagel said.

The mother and toddler slept in an area near a lawn mower, gas can and other assorted materials, the corporal reported.

Department of Children’s Services employees were notified. The boy was placed into a neighbor’s custody.