A Fulton County woman, 32-year-old Marisa Beard, has been charged with four felony counts of endangering the welfare of a minor following an incident in which a Fulton County Sheriff’s Deputy was stuck by a needle in a diaper bag during a search.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed Monday, the sheriff’s office received a call of a female and a male exhibiting signs of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The two were reportedly en route from Glencoe to Salem.
A vehicle matching the description of the one the two were reportedly traveling in was spotted by the deputy crossing the center line on U.S. Highway 62.
The deputy pursued the vehicle and observed it pass a semi tractor trailer truck on the right side of the road, with the truck in the middle of a three-lane stretch of highway. As it passed the truck, the car almost struck the wheel of the semi, leading its driver to swerve into the oncoming traffic lane.
After initiating a traffic stop, the deputy observed the driver of the car, later identified as Beard, reaching in the rear of the vehicle, acting nervous and not listening to the officer.
Four children were in the rear seat, including one in a car seat. The report does not note the male being in Beard’s vehicle.
Beard told the officer she did not have a driver’s license, and he then conducted a standardized field sobriety test, which she failed.
The officer then initiated a search of the vehicle, leading to the discovery of several needles testing positive for methamphetamine. Inside a diaper bag, the officer located a blue bag he opened and was stuck by one of several needles, as it protruded through the side causing his finger to bleed.
In addition to the four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, Beard was charged with felony possession of drug paraphernalia and four misdemeanors. Her bond was set at $15,000.
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