A 43-year-old Bloomington mother is facing felony neglect charges after police arrested her following an incident in which she allegedly passed out on a sidewalk after consuming an unknown substance. An officer recalled seeing what appeared to be 11 unfamiliar synthetic-substance shots on the ground.
A caller reportedly believed Hollin and her child had been outside for roughly 30 minutes. Court documents detailed that the child was not wearing shoes and appeared somewhat dirty after sitting on the sidewalk and crawling, and was reportedly eating pizza.
Hollin told the responding officer she had blacked out and that she was pregnant, per the same account. She then walked away while officers were requesting medical assistance, appearing confused and showing poor balance and obvious impairment. When a second officer arrived to help, Hollin ran from him before being detained.
Eleven Unfamiliar Shots Recalled
An officer recalled seeing what appeared to be 11 unfamiliar synthetic-substance shots on the ground. Separately, CTC Programs describes 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, as having opioid-like effects and a risk profile closer to that of a potent opioid.
Hollin was taken to IU Health Hospital for jail clearance, the report notes. Hollin is scheduled to appear for her initial hearing on September 23.
What Charges Hollin Is Facing
Hollin faces neglect of a dependent, a Level 6 felony, along with resisting law enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor, and public intoxication, a Class B misdemeanor. Indiana Level 6 felonies carry a sentencing range of six months to two-and-a-half years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, according to Hayes Law Office. The statutory advisory sentence for a Level 6 felony is one year in prison before judges weigh aggravating or mitigating factors, per Hayes Law Office. Judges retain broad discretion to suspend such sentences or order probation.
The resisting charge stems from Indiana Code § 35-44.1-3-1, which makes fleeing on foot from an officer after being ordered to stop a Class A misdemeanor, according to Banks & Brower. That charge can escalate to a felony in Indiana if a vehicle is involved or an officer is injured, though nothing in the available reporting suggests that happened here.
The public intoxication charge falls under Indiana Code § 7.1-5-1-3, a Class B misdemeanor. Prosecutors must show the intoxicated person actively endangered themselves or others, breached the peace, or harassed someone, notes Avnet Law.
Substance Abuse Often at the Root of Neglect Cases
Parental substance abuse is a common thread in Indiana child welfare cases. A study cited in a state family policy evaluation found that roughly 55% of all child removals conducted by the Indiana Department of Child Services in 2017 involved parental substance abuse, according to a report from Purdue Centers.
Indiana DCS may initiate a CHINS case and files a petition when it opens a case, according to Kirsh & Kirsh, P.C., with reunification as the initial goal in such civil proceedings.
Hollin's initial hearing is expected to shed more light on the case as it moves forward.
