We hear the horror stories on how drugs can affect a person’s life, family, career, and about every aspect of their lives; but when it comes to their children it is especially heart wrenching.

One case in particular this past week is a prime example on how out of control this addiction has become. Miranda Gale Taylor, 24, of Elkview, formally Clay County, was arrested on child neglect charges after her 10-month-old son tested positive for meth.

The grandmother of the child stated that she called 911 when she noticed the child was acting strange. Upon arriving at the residence, Taylor refused to let paramedics into the home and they had to forcefully enter and take the child from his mother’s arms. Kanawha Deputies found the child exhibiting signs of a possible overdose and he was taken to CAMC Women and Children’s Hospital, where the child did in fact test positive for meth. It is unknown how the baby ingested the drug. Prosecutor Maryclaire Akers said that in cases where drugs are around small children, it only takes a moment for a child to ingest something dangerous.

On Tuesday, July 17, Taylor was arrested and charged with child neglect resulting in injury, which is a felony. The child was released from the hospital and is now recovering with a family member. Sgt. Brian Humphreys says, while they understand that people develop addictions and that these addictions can wreck their lives, it should not affect their children, and certainly not physically and medically like it did in this case.