Redmond mother ordered to undergo drug treatment
By Cindy Powers
Published: June 02, 2005
A Redmond mother sentenced to five years’ probation in May for causing her baby to ingest methamphetamine through breast milk admitted in Deschutes County Circuit Court on Wednesday that she continued to use the drug after she was sentenced.
She has now been ordered to undergo inpatient drug treatment at a facility where she will be allowed to have her 1-year-old daughter.
Kristy Mealoha Davis, 30, was living with her baby and the father of the child, who recently pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine, at the time of her sentencing on May 11.
A urinalysis taken nine days after Davis was placed on probation showed methamphetamine present in her system, according to Lydia McNaughton of Deschutes County parole and probation. McNaughton recommended on Wednesday that Judge A. Michael Adler order Davis into a drug treatment program and allow her to take her daughter to the facility, which accommodates women with children.
Vicki Kipp, a Department of Human Services caseworker, said at Wednesday’s hearing that her agency had taken the baby away from her father, 35-year-old James Travis Hale, on May 25. Kipp agreed with the recommendation that Davis undergo inpatient treatment and recommended Davis’ daughter stay with her mother.
Judge Adler followed the DHS and probation department recommendations, admonishing Davis that she was to complete the four-to-six month program as a condition of her probation.
“I’m willing to do whatever it takes to be a better person and a better mother,” Davis, in tears, told Adler.
Davis’ attorney, Angela Lee, said her client is grateful for the opportunity to participate in treatment.
“She’s looking forward to getting her daughter back and getting more parenting skills,” Lee said. “DHS did an incredible job and so did her probation officer, Lydia McNaughton. But for the efforts of those two people she would be in prison.”
Cindy Powers can be reached at 541-617-7812 or at cpowers@bendbulletin.com
