Meth exposure results in felony charge

SANDPOINT — A Sagle woman is charged with felony child endangerment for allegedly exposing her unborn baby to methamphetamine and marijuana.

Nicole Dawn Bowman made an initial appearance in Bonner County Magistrate Court on Friday. A public defender was appointed to represent Bowman, who is free on her own recognizance, court records show.

The felony injury to a child charge emerged following investigations by the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare and the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office, according to court documents. The child was born at Bonner General Health on Dec. 29, 2015.

Within a day of the birth, the child began exhibiting symptoms of withdrawal from the notorious stimulant, a probable cause affidavit said. The symptoms included decreased sleep, hyperthermia, hyperactivity, tremors and increased respiration, the affidavit said.

Bowman, 28, was confronted by investigators and she admitted using a concentrated form of cannabis during her pregnancy, but she ceased using meth upon learning she was pregnant. However, she admitted she was untruthful about her drug use when advised blood from the child’s umbilical cord was being screened for narcotics.

Bowman admitted using meth a half dozen times while carrying the child, the affidavit said.

The analysis of the cord blood confirmed the presence of amphetamine, methamphetamine and THC, the psychoactive ingredient in pot, court records show.

Bowman is the third mother in Bonner County this year to be prosecuted for placing her baby in harm’s way by exposing them to meth. One child died, although it could not be conclusively determined that drug exposure caused the child’s death.