Grand Forks County ( trfnews.i234.me ) — A Grand Forks woman is facing multiple charges after authorities say a probation search uncovered her children living in dangerous and unsanitary conditions.
According to court documents, North Dakota Parole and Probation officers arrived on July 30 at an apartment located at 4275 5th Avenue North, where a man on probation was reportedly living with Jessica Smith and their two children.
When officers arrived, three children — ages four years, nine months, and one month — were inside, being supervised by an unrelated woman. Neither Smith nor the probationer was on scene; the man had been arrested hours earlier.
Officials reported the apartment was severely neglected, with a strong odor of decay from rotting food, animal urine and feces, and soiled diapers. The floors were covered in debris, spilled snacks, and grime. Used diapers littered the bathroom floor, some leaking onto the surface. The children’s bedroom contained piles of soiled laundry, open alcohol containers, and a visible insect infestation.
Throughout the apartment, officers found crystal-like substances that tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine. The drugs were left unsecured, posing an immediate danger to the children. Additional items found included a dinner plate and credit card coated with the substance, a broken glass pipe with burnt residue, and a clear glass jar containing meth.
Smith returned during the search and was detained. A search of her person revealed 7.86 grams of meth. She later admitted under Miranda that she had smoked meth the previous night, but claimed any drugs in the apartment belonged to the probationer.
Child Protective Services removed the children from the apartment.
Jessica Smith is charged with child endangerment, child neglect, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.