By Ray King
A $5,000 bond was set Tuesday for a Jefferson County woman who was found passed out on a bed at a motel while her son was found alone and naked in the hallway.
Jefferson County District Judge Kim Bridgforth set the bond after ruling prosecutors have probable cause to charge Brandy Blasengame, 36, with endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree.
Reading from an affidavit from Detective Larry Gailey, Deputy Prosecutor Beth Carson said police were sent to the Super 8 motel at 4:45 a.m. after receiving a call that a naked child had been found in the hallway by a guest at the motel. Carson said the guest told police they had heard the child for about 15 minutes and took the child into a room and contacted the hotel manager. The affidavit did not indicate how old the child was.
They determined that the child had come from another room and the guest and manager opened the door to the room where they found Blasengame passed out on the bed. After attempts to awaken her were unsuccessful, police were called.
Carson said the officer was finally able to awaken Blasengame who “seemed confused” but was finally able to identify herself and the child.
The affidavit said officers found a glass smoking pipe and a bag containing a crystal-like substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine. The room was said to be in “disarray” with furniture tipped over and the child was reportedly attempting to eat food off the floor.
The child was turned over to DHS who administered a drug test on Blasengame and Carson said the test showed a positive result for methamphetamine.
The Public Defender’s Office was appointed to represent Blasengame who was ordered to have no contact with the child until the case is settled.
