More often than not, when a person is accused of committing a crime, there is usually more than one crime in question. Many crimes do not have very significant sentences but what usually lands people in prison for long periods of time is being convicted of multiple crimes at once.

A Port St. Lucie woman learned that difficult lesson Sunday after being charged with both felony drug possession and felony child neglect. While unfortunate, it is common for drug use and child neglect go hand in hand. Many parents that are accused of child neglect or abuse often do so because of other extraneous issues such as drug or alcohol dependency.

Drug Possession and Child Neglect in South Florida

According to an article in the Palm Beach Post, a woman from Port St. Lucie ended up in jail Sunday after a sheriff’s deputies said she hid drugs and used syringes under her baby daughter’s dress to avoid being caught with drugs and drug equipment.

Deanna Marie Angelico, 31, was charged with not only felony child neglect but also with felony drug possession and misdemeanor possession of drug equipment. According to the article and the arrest report, deputies stopped a vehicle she and Michael G. Angelico, 23, were in after witnesses reported seeing two people in the vehicle shooting up drugs.

Angelico stuffed the drugs and used syringes up the baby’s dress to avoid being searched by a female Sheriff’s deputy.

Michael Angelico, of the 800 block of Southeast Starflower Lane, was charged with felony drug possession and misdemeanor possession of drug equipment. He was released Sunday on $5,500 bond; Deanna Angelico was held in lieu of $8,000 bond.

Neither person’s arrest report stated what type of drug was found or the amount. The type of drug usually determines the sentence in these situations.

Criminal Defense

If you have been charged with child neglect because of a substance abuse problem, you need someone to help you. The justice system does not have room for mercy for parents who choose drugs over taking care of their children. Only a criminal defense lawyer will be able to help you now. A criminal defense lawyer has a duty to represent those accused of crimes and also to make sure all relevant evidence is brought into the case.