A St. John woman is behind bars after four children in her care tested positive for fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. The allegations surfaced after one child was found unresponsive and taken to a hospital, turning a drug investigation into a four-count child-endangerment case.
Mackenzie K. Audrain is charged with four counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child and remains jailed on a $250,000 cash-only bond, according to a FOX 2 report. The children were in her care at a home on Calvert Avenue, and the probable-cause statement does not say whether they are related to her.
Police say the investigation began July 28, when one child was found unresponsive and taken to a hospital. That child tested positive for fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine, while three other children living in the same house also tested positive for the same drugs.
Investigators say they found 13 capsules containing suspected fentanyl in Audrain’s home, along with suspected fentanyl in her purse, a syringe and other drug paraphernalia. Police also said Audrain admitted fentanyl was her drug of choice.
What The Missouri Charges Mean
Missouri law defines first-degree endangering the welfare of a child as knowingly acting in a way that creates a substantial risk to the life, body or health of a child younger than 17. The offense is generally a Class D felony, though the Missouri statute allows more serious classifications in circumstances involving physical injury, serious physical injury or death.
Audrain has a bond-reduction hearing scheduled for Wednesday, and her preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 19, according to FOX 2. The charges are allegations, and the case must proceed through the courts before any finding of guilt.
