Mother charged after children ingest cocaine

A Winchester mother is facing abuse charges after her 4-year-old and 2-year-old were found with cocaine in their systems Thursday,

Annquita Wright, 31, of 222 Third St., was arrested for two counts of first-degree criminal abuse by Winchester Police Thursday.

Capt. James Hall said EMS personnel were called to the Head Start facility, 32 Meadow St., after the 4-year-old appeared lethargic and slow to wake up.

When the child was examined at Clark Regional Medical Center, the tests showed cocaine in the child’s system, Hall said.

Wright told detectives she allowed a friend to sell cocaine and crack cocaine from her home. The child said she ingested the cocaine Thursday morning. The charge, Hall said, stems from having the drugs in the home where the children could access them.

“We don’t think anyone gave it to her intentionally,” Hall said.

Two other children living in the home were tested as well. One of those, a 2-year-old, also tested positive he said, though the third was negative. Social workers removed all three children from the home, he said.

Wright allowed police to search the residence Thursday, but no illegal drugs were found, Hall said. Police are also investigating whether someone was selling drugs from the home, he said.

Wright was arrested Thursday afternoon and lodged in the Clark County Detention Center.

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