Carthage 2-year-old shows evidence of meth intoxication; mother arrested

A two-year-old suffering respiratory distress and other symptoms was taken to Mercy Carthage hospital last week.

Now, a mother is under arrest after doctors said an exam reportedly showed evidence of methamphetamine intoxication in the child.

37-year-old Dawndee R. Alton was arrested Thursday. She is charged with felony child abuse, felony child endangerment and resisting arrest.

The two-year-old and a second six-year-old child have been removed from Alton's care and placed in protective custody by state child abuse investigators.

The mother was taken to the Jasper County Jail.