Two parents from West Covina were arrested Wednesday morning after their 9-month-old daughter, who they brought to a hospital because of respiratory problems, was found to have cocaine and methamphetamine in her system, a police officer said.
Erin Jill Maloney, 37, and Richard Rapp, 34, were arrested and booked on alleged child endangerment charges, said West Covina police Officer Rudy Lopez.
Bail was set at $100,000 each. Both Maloney and Rapp are scheduled to head to Citrus Superior Court in West Covina at 8:30 a.m. Friday, according to court records.
According to police, the child was brought into a hospital around 12:30 a.m. Hospital staff became suspicious about the circumstances relayed to them by the parents, Lopez said. Staff called West Covina police about their suspicions.
Responding officers worked with the hospital staff and finally determined the toddler had cocaine and methamphetamine in her system, Lopez said.
Detectives then got a search for the parents’ house and car. In both locations, detectives discovered drugs and drug paraphernalia in plain view, easily accessible to the child.
Meanwhile, the child was placed in protective custody, which, Lopez said, allowed hospital staff to save her life.