Two women are facing legal consequences for allegations that they allowed and encouraged three young children to participate in smoking what is believed was marijuana after a video was released of the reported incident and generated much attention while circulating the internet.
21-year-old Michaela Pearson and 18-year-old Candice Little from Winston-Salem were identified as the two women allegedly depicted in a video while in the company of three toddlers between the ages of 4 and 6.
The recording, which was uploaded to Snapchat and made its rounds throughout social media sites, showed two women who have been reported as having the physical appearances of Pearson and Little. The women were seated with three young children as an item with the appearance of a cigar was passed amongst them.
The children were shown inhaling smoke from the object which the authorities suspect was filled with marijuana and is often referred to as a blunt. When one of the children in the video kept hold of the lit rolled item for an extended period one of the women can be heard instructing him to keep it going by passing it to his sister. All three of the kids were reportedly seen smoking on the video.
After the video began getting attention online the Winston-Salem Police Department started to receive calls regarding the recording.
The material was investigated by the authorities and they located Pearson and Little and placed them under arrest.
The children, whose relationship to the suspects is unknown, were taken to the hospital and kept under watch to make sure that there were no adverse effects to their health, and Child Protective Services is looking into the situation.
Pearson and Little are suspected of three felony counts of child abuse, and three misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. They were each assigned an amount of $150,000 bail. If they are convicted of the charges they could each face a maximum penalty of 536 months of incarceration.
If you or someone you love is suspected of child abuse, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.