Parents charged with carrying 2 kilos of meth near their children
Two parents are under arrest after police say they potentially exposed their infant and toddler to large amounts of drugs.
According to search warrants, Esperanza Camacho and Jonathan Hernandez, of California, transported more than 2,100 grams of methamphetamine and put a 9-month-old and a 3-year-old in harm’s way.
They were charged with felony drug trafficking and misdemeanor child abuse.
A state prosecutor said Wake County sheriff’s deputies discovered the drugs during a traffic stop.
“Based on some things that they saw and heard in the vehicle, they walked the dog around the car,” Mark Stephens said. “The dog indicated positive.”
Investigators said Camacho and Hernandez possessed and transported 2,143 grams of meth, which breaks down to a street value of nearly $643,000.
Suspected drugs were found in multiple packages in the baby’s diaper bag, which was between the children’s seats.
Camacho and Hernandez made their first court appearance Wednesday by video.
Hernandez said his brother is providing him with an attorney.
Camacho asked the judge for a pre-trial release.
“I just need to get to my kids,” she said. “They’re with my mother. They only had a pair of clothes.”
The judge denied Camacho’s request.
Camacho and Hernandez are due back in court on Feb. 11. If convicted on both charges, they face 47 to 49 years in prison.
