Jonesboro woman charged after children test positive for drugs

A Jonesboro woman faces multiple felony charges after authorities said her three children tested positive for methamphetamine, cocaine and THC.Latrica Marie Upshaw, 30, was charged after Craighead County District Court Judge David Boling found probable cause Friday to charge her with three counts of introducing a Schedule I or II controlled substance into another person’s body, a Class Y felony, and three counts of introducing a Schedule IV, V or VI controlled substance into another person’s body, a Class C felony.

According to the affidavit, Upshaw was arrested Feb. 17 and her three children were placed in the custody of Child Protective Services. Authorities said the children were medically evaluated and screened for drugs after being removed from the home.

Investigators said Upshaw denied using methamphetamine or cocaine during a post-Miranda interview but admitted to smoking marijuana inside the residence.

Court documents indicate she also told investigators her 5-year-old child would move two younger siblings, including a 10-month-old infant, to another room when she began smoking marijuana.

Upshaw is being held in the Craighead County Detention Center on a $250,000 cash or surety bond. She is scheduled to appear in circuit court April 23.

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