Casper Woman Denies Child Endangerment, Drug Charges
A woman accused of giving a THC-laced candy to a young girl and endangering the child with methamphetamine pleaded not guilty to five criminal charges during her arraignment Tuesday morning in Natrona County District Court.
Vanessa R. Smith, 30, is charged with two felonies: delivery of marijuana to a minor and child endangerment with methamphetamine.
She also faces three misdemeanor counts of giving a controlled substance to a child, possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana.
Smith could face 18 years behind bars and $18,000 in fines if convicted on all counts.
Charging papers allege Smith gave the child, who was four or five years old at the time, a THC gummy candy in February to "calm her down."
A woman who was watching the child the next day reportedly noticed the child had bloodshot eyes, spokely slowly and was lethargic. A man who had dropped the child off to the caretaker allegedly said Smith had given the girl a marijuana candy the previous night.
The child reportedly complained of stomach pains, but later said she felt better and "doesn't talk like [Smith] anymore." The caretaker then called the Wyoming Department of Family Services.
Authorities took the child into protective custody after the child reportedly provided a urine sample which tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.
In a police interview, Smith allegedly admitted to giving the child a THC-laced candy. She also reportedly admitted to smoking methamphetamine at her home.
A search of Smith's residence turned up a number of marijuana and methamphetamine pipes, methamphetamine residue inside a small plastic bag, THC gummies and unidentified white pills, according to an affidavit.
Smith had reportedly returned to Casper from Denver the previous night with a dispensary canister, which contained THC-laced candies shaped like marijuana leaves.
Smith remains free on bond. Her trial is set for June 26.