Women Use Baby to Smuggle Marijuana

By Anna Lothson, Reporter

Alicia Reed (left) and Kenyatta Taylor (right)

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Oct 24, 2009 at 7:36 PM CST

Story Updated: Oct 26, 2009 at 10:53 AM CST

IOWA CITY - Two women face multiple child endangerment and drug charges after being arrested Friday for allegedly using a baby to try and smuggle a large quantity of marijuana out of a residence, according to Iowa City Police.

After receiving credible information that there were drugs at an apartment at 2502 Bartlet Road, police executed a search warrant shortly before 1 p.m.

Alicia Reed, 21, a transient, attempted to exit the apartment carrying a 3-month-old baby, and when officers asked to look through the baby’s blankets and clothing, Reed attempted to set the baby down and bags of marijuana fell onto the ground, police said.

According to police complaints, Reed physically resisted the arrest in front of several children and had to be physically overpowered.

Police said she was in possession of several salable individual bags of marijuana that Reed admitted was hers and said she smuggled it out to avoid detection.

The resident, Kenyatta J. Taylor, 21, told police her house has been used for “purchases” of illegal drugs in addition to ongoing use, police said.

After searching the apartment, police found more than 42.5 grams of separately packaged marijuana along with multiple packages hidden under the couch, a digital scale, and packaging materials and other items used for dealing drugs, police said.

Taylor’s three children, ages 1, 2 and 3, were in the apartment at the time, police said.

Taylor is charged with three counts of child endangerment-no injury, keeping a drug house, an Iowa drug tax stamp violation, possession of marijuana, joint criminal conduct, and gathering for use of drugs.

Reed is charged with child endangerment-serious injury, possession of marijuana, an Iowa drug tax stamp violation and prevent apprehension or obstruct prosecution.

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