AUGUSTA, Maine — A Maine woman whose 18-month-old daughter swallowed cocaine is going to jail for 90 days.
Twenty-two-year-old Jillian Jones of Bingham was sentenced Friday in Kennebec County Superior Court after pleading guilty in October to endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful possession of cocaine.
Police say the child apparently got into the drugs in June while playing unsupervised at a home in Oakland where Jones was living with the child’s father. The baby was taken to a hospital after Jones called 911 to report her daughter wasn’t breathing.
Jones apologized at her sentencing and told the judge that she’s going to be the best mother she can be from here on out.
The Kennebec Journal reported that the drug has had no lasting effects on the toddler.
Information from: Kennebec Journal, http://www.kjonline.com/
Betcha I see her in the news again in no more than two years.
Generally tigers don’t change their spots …unfortunately. Can only hope (for the kids sake) she learned her lesson.
Tigers have stripes; leopards have spots.
Tom,Tom,Tom…please insert tongue in cheek here, lol.
That sounds dirty. Flagged!
lol
Doubtful
….she is going to be the best mother she can be??? The child is with her?
The child is with her mother while she serves her sentence. Then, she expects to get the child back which is when she will be the “best mother she can be” … try reading to comprehend! Do I think she will be? Absolutely not! By the time she is out three months, she will be pregnant again …
“By the time she is out three months, she will be pregnant again …”
Not sure that is possible, but at least shortly afterward.
She will get a casemanager in there, home counselors for at least 6 months minimum. She will have the baby back within a year is my prediction. Since mom has baby she can see baby unlimited(more then likely). If she was a “real” mother at all, she will move in with her mother and have complete visitation; if the state allows. The severity they may not allow until she is done a minimum of counseling and classes. There are times, limited, that they do not allow the birth mother to move in with child, because caregiver could leave baby unattended with her. Of course then her mothers reputation and freedom would be on the line.
Drug addicts care about one thing and one thing only, number one. I’m glad to see that she got medical attention for the baby. I’d like to say that is the norm, unfortunately, this state has alot of child neglect. Child neglect happens most in my opinion when the parents know they were in the wrong. I’ve witnessed and reported children with 2nd degree burns that didn’t get medical attention. Broken bones, bruises, and neglect (fleas and lice). When parents aren’t guilty they seek medical attention, that is the norm. I applaud her for doing what was best for her baby, by getting medical attention. What seems a must for us, isn’t for druggies.
Really ?Did her child get taken away? Is she going to take some parenting classes ? She should go to jail then rehab . Do for her little one…..
Yes, I know of multiple cases where children have been taken away from a mother who ‘failed to protect’ her child from the abuse of a boyfriend or stepfather. And they sometimes never get their kids back. But this ‘person’ feeds her kid cocaine (and I don’t care that it was accidental, she left it out, the kid got into it, that’s what kids do.) and after her slap on the wrist jail time, she gets her kid back? Someone paid someone something here.
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Her child’s second chance is the only one I care about.
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Her child would be getting a 2nd chance if she could be raised by a different family. Don’t play this out like this is some kind of blessing.
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Ok,
A: You shouldn’t get second chances when the life of a child is involved. Had that child died as a result of this woman’s criminal negligence what second chance would that child have?
B: Her remorse is irrelevant.
C: Why would any of us have bothered to read the Kennebec Journal?
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Relevance of remorse is inversely proportional to the severity of the crime. Perfection is not expected, but criminal negligence should not be accepted. And I did read the article you mentioned, I was just being sarcastic about that. Having said that, there was nothing there that convinced me otherwise. She almost killed her kid, feeling sorry or not having done it before is not an excuse.
How does anyone know that this won’t have a long term effect on the child? 30 years in Jail would be nice.
I agree happyguy. The time to deal with her drug problem would have been….hmm before she had the child. Probably the child was born addicted already. DHHS doesn’t take away those poor babies though.
I think allowing someone to adopt this little girl who will love her unconditionally and actually care for her is the best option
“Why would any of us have bothered to read the Kennebec Journal?”
Because unlike the BDN that relies on The AP wire for many, many stories (including this one and “Windows broken at Waterville home where Ayla Reynolds was reported missing”) the KJ, Lewiston Sun Journal, PPH, etc…still have reporters that report the news.
The only thing the BDN sends reporters out to do is attack Gov. LePage and Republicans . They are becoming like the PPH/Maine Today Media becoming a tabloid paper who is out to ruin the careers and lives of Republicans and their families.
I agree with you Beast. This was almost murder. Another murder of a child who just needed a parent taking care of them — not out getting high – just taking care of them.
Why do people have kids if they really don’t want to take care of them or put their safety first??
Nearly impossible to die by ingesting cocaine. Cocaine gets broken down in stomach acid…hence why it is often snorted and absorbed through mucus membranes.
If you bothered to follow the story you would noticed that she initially pled not guilty. This was no doubt done on the advice of counsel so that when she finally did have to stand up and take her medicine her court appointed lawyer could tell the court how she has completed drug rehab and what a wonderful mother she is now. Her counsel more than likely also pleaded to the court about what a hardship it was going to be for the child if it’s mother was sent to jail.
I have no problem giving people second chances and it sounds like she has gotten hers. I hope for the childs sake I am proven wrong but my money is that she’ll be arrested on new drug charges before this year ends.
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I hope the 2nd chance doesn’t impact the child like before. Bet she already had a fix.
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Yes, most 22 year olds are far from perfect….. most 22 year olds dont give their infant access to cocaine…..
The kid could have died from her giving the baby the cocaine and she deserves a second chance. She deserves no more chances she should rot in jail for her crime. If Jones and her boyfriend are collecting Welfare they should lose it. She deserves no sympathy. That is problem with Liberals they think we gotta feel sorry for everyone. People are responsible for the choices they make she obviously made the wrong choices she deserves to be in jail longer than 90 days.
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This woman hurt a child and it could have died and she deserves a second chance. She got a slap on the wrist. She should gotten the book thrown at her. If her and her boyfriend are collecting Welfare they should lose it. Only Liberals like yourself think she should have more chances. She doesn’t deserve anymore chances and should not be around kids at all.
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So “far from perfect” equates to nearly killing your child. Nice to see you set the bar so low for human behavior.
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I agree with you except, take into account that in June she pled Not Guilty to the charges. This indicates that maybe she finally pled Guilty in Oct. so she could get a lighter sentence.
Most judges wont let you plea guilty if there is jail time involved. Its a fact. Just saying….
Oleyane, you are so right. I believe in 2nd chances. Thing is, they should be very closely supervised. The agencies tasked to supervise such things are grossly understaffed and under funded. If it was just her, I would be willing to take her at her word. We have an infant involved. I hope they don’t fall through the cracks. Dead is forever. We don’t need divers looking for another one.
I sit on a volunteer board of a home for mothers with such issues (addicts with legal issues) here in North Carolina (got to do something until my wife retires so I can get home to Maine!) Some people around here decided to get proactive instead of sitting around and complaining about the problem. We really did it for the kids, however the Mother’s benefit. Kids are our future, and should not be held responsible for Adults transgressions.
They are closely monitored, attend drug treatment, and AA/NA, obtain employment, interact with social services and their probation officers. This is all funded by churches with no tax dollars and the woman are not required to participate against any religious activities unless they choose to do so. We really screen the people who are involved so the Bob Carlsons of the world are kept at bay. The result is we get many family units intact becoming responsible productive members of society. The sad part is we do not have enough housing for all that need it. If the woman relapses, the kids are put in foster care, and usually the Mother goes to prison.
We need a similiar program here. Mothers here generally get the children right back. Sad to say if the child has significant disabilities, she gets them back faster. Many children belonging to addicts have significant healthy/mental diagnosis. Their addiction prevents them from proper follow up and support the child so desperately needs.
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Not work anymore. I retired in 2009 and found I had painted everything around the house, pruned all the bushes, finished up the “Honeydo” list and I am in limbo until my wife retires and I can come back home to Maine. I had all this time on my hands, and over 30 years mental health experience and administration skills and licenses hanging on the wall collecting dust and felt a stirring. Society has been very good to me, I wanted to give back. Many people have aided me along the way. It is easy to sit around and complain about society’s ills. My Grandfather from up in the county used to say.”If you pray for potatoes, grab a hoe” well this is my feeble attempt to give back, instead of complaining.
Women, specifically Mothers who are homeless with addiction and legal issues are the most under-served population in the way of residential drug treatment. There are many treatment facilities out there, not any that take Women with kids. Working with addicts is a heartbreaking, thankless task. Public opinion (stigma) is against the addict, relapse is a constant presence (Ala Josh Hamilton), resources are scant. Folks are right that not many make it but does that mean we as a society should reject all addicts out of hand? Unfortunately, most view the addict as a person of low moral fiber. This opinion comes from a place of ignorance (not stupidity, that is a different word, ignorance as in not educating oneself to the facts and instead making a snap judgement from a perceived moral high-ground). The symptomology of addiction is such that it mimics the above (bad person). If the addict knew why they used, they would stop. It is a complex problem that cannot be dismissed with flippant statements, if only it was so easy addiction would be cured. I happen to be of the opinion, as long as someone is still breathing there is hope for them. If the addict sees no need for change they will continue their behavior. I agree in making one responsible for their behavior. As a parent, I personally cannot comprehend allowing an infant to basically eat cocaine. As a human being, I am relieved the child emerged relatively unscathed. I cannot believe this young woman purposely allowed this to occur, but there needs to be a reckoning so she understands the brevity of the situation that demonstrates to her how serious her actions were and what her actions allowed to occur, even if not intentional. Parenting is a 24/7 we never close job and this should be paramount in ever parents mind. If that involves prison for her so be it. Prison time allows one to contemplate one’s actions.But a follow-up, or exposure to treatment whilst incarcerated is beneficial according to the literature. Depending on the severity, exposure to therapy can be effective in as little as 6 sessions. Some will never change, does that mean we should cast all aside? That decision, I believe is above my pay grade.
Thank you for an educational and (refreshing) civil reply. I appreciate it.
Hopefully this young woman does come out of jail with a different outlook on life. I hope she takes advantage of the second chance she has been given. It is up to her from now on to do the right thing and be a loving, responsible parent.
I believe in second chances too: after an appropriate sentence. Nothing like a couple years in prison to help set her straight.
we are talking about a human child, not a goldfish. Drug addicts ALWAYS play the recovering religious fanatic til they’re out of trouble. She was neglectful, she was a druggie scum parent, and left her drugs where an unattended child could get them. No second chance. This child should be safely tucked away with a family member and the mom should only get supervised visits. Maybe in a few years of clean monthly drug tests, she should be able to get custody.
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You sound like a friend or relative. What about next time? The child could have died. Of course she showed remorse, she knew she was in big trouble. And just because a person goes into drug treatment in a case like this does not mean she isn’t still using drugs or will in the near future.
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Really? Second chances with somebodys life usually ends up with somebody losing theirs. This woman should have her kid taken away and adopted by some real parents before she kills the poor thing. Stories like this make me appreciate the parents I had growing up. I am going to sent mama hozhed a dozen roses tomorrow and thank her for all she has done for me.
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Right, and when the kid ends up maimed or crippled for life, or killed, your going to say…………….???
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So the answer is to give parents second chance so we can have the parents keep abusing their children. That is the problem with Liberals let’s keep feeling sorry for people like Miss Jones. If we keep giving them chances they might finally get it right. No this woman deserves prison time , the loss of her child , loss of welfare benefits (if her and her boyfriend) are on it. It is time to send a message that Maine is going to be tough on folks like Miss Jones that we can’t have our children harmed. That if folks like Miss Jones are on Welfare too that we are going to start testing these folks as well for drugs, alcohol etc..
She has had enough chances. She got a slap on the wrist from a Liberal Judge (Peter Mills’ Wife Nancy). Nancy Mills did the wrong thing by not throwing the book at her. This woman looks like she is on Welfare. This gives Gov. LePage good reason to start drug testing those who collect Welfare. If Miss Jones and her boyfriend is indeed on Welfare. It is time to terminate their benefits as soon as possible because it looks like they have been abusing the system.
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Only 90 days? Does not seem like enough punishment for the near death of a child.
most people just having coke get more time than this
No child support while he’s in jail I assume.
she probably never got it to begin with.
So sad these kind of people can give birth. This is a no win situation, when druggies bring babies into the world. Baby should be taken at birth if there is any sign of drugs in the blood in my opinion. That said, again we are in a catch 22. If the druggies believe that their own hide is on the line then they won’t get their baby the much needed medical attention. Then we have either a very sick possibly lifetime harmed baby or much worse, another missing baby. I’d rather see a lighter sentence then a harsh sentence that prevents the next parent from taking the baby to ER. Remember birds of a feather flock together. What one druggie learns spreads like wildfire. Druggies only care about one thing, themselves, and their addiction. I am shocked she did the right thing and got this baby the medical attention she needed. For that I applaud her.
That stated, no druggie should ever be raising a child or alchoholic, because their addiction comes before the needs of the child.
The people least able to care for children seem to be the ones who have more than they can handle, while people who would be excellent parents sometimes can’t have children naturally, and/or have to wait years with no guarantee they’ll be allowed to adopt.
My husbands boss has been waiting for a baby. They are older with no experience. Beautiful home, combined salary of at least $250,000. They placed their careers first and then were unable to have children. Now waiting several years to get an American baby. They want to adopt in country because they believe children here need a home too. The baby would be very lucky as they now have time for a family.
Yes, because the people in charge at DHHS would rather keep the kids in the system than adopt them out to responsible people. After all, while they’re in the system DHHS gets more funding. THAT is the type of things people should be looking at when talking about DHHS budget issues, not whether someone on food stamps bought something other than bread and water.
well said!!
The state has made them both take so many classes because “they have no experience with children”. If only they made new mothers take a class or maybe two, especially if she is under 21. Unfortunately, you can’t teach someone how to be responsible, a mother and father are born responsible people or just aren’t. Having experience with children has nothing to do with the price of tea in china. Raising children is hands on experience. Anyone who can complete college, a carreer. and 22 years of marriage, is most likely responsible enough to care for a baby. I do realize that abuse happens in all lifestyles, DHHS should obviously stop in for well baby checks for a bit as they would in any home. Knowing this family, I believe will all my heart they will be very loving parents, given the opportunity.
Come on Beast 510. Do you really think people on DHHS should be allowed to buy $100.00 worth of bottled water only to poor its contents out for the $2.00 bottle depost upon thier return to the store? This is why people are upset.
Why is only the mother charged?
Because the father left or was never there?
Not an excuse. His child. Does he bear no responsibility for the supervision of the child? She obviously was unfit.
His residence. If someone left there, drunk, and caused an accident he would be responsibile as he provided a place to consume alcohol?
Agreed that drugs should not have been in the home to begin with. Still doesn’t mean that he willfully thought the child was in harms way. He MAY have thought the child was being looked after responsibly. personally a year in solitary might get this girls attention, but 90 in the local lockup will not.
Dont you understand? The Maine justice system doesn’t care about justice.
Not sure, but I think I remember reading this when it first happened and an article said the dad didn’t want the mom to call and get help!!So glad she did, but this little girl should have never been in that sitution!
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Excellent. Thank you. Glad to see both are being held responsible.
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Why do we have to go to the KJ or any other paper to find out the details? Come on, BDN give us the whole story with all of the details.
Thank you oleyane.
Because the state won’t prove he was in any way responsible and the case would be dismissed.
“Her attorney, Sherry Tash, told the judge that the child suffered no lasting effects from ingesting the cocaine.”
Do you think her attorney can “assure” no lasting, long term problems?
Nope
Any parent comvicted for a serious drug crime, should NOT get their child/children back from the system… EVER… what for? a second chance to harm the child…. again? Sorry this statement seems cold,however; read the news RE: children from drug using families…ABUSED, NEGLECTED, ECT. OR GOD FORBID, MISSING OR MURDERED!!!!
It’s this kind of knee jerk rescue mentality that causes more harm to more children then parents with addiction issues could ever cause. I am certain you cant see that. It would take some concerted effort on your part to understand how. Effort I doubt you would ever take the time to exert.
would you agree then, that keeping children in drug abusing families, is the better option!!! NOT….there are great extended family members, who are more than capable and willing to take care of these children.. and alternative placements don”t always have to be bad situations, to which you are implying!! It doesn’t take much concerted effort to read the horrifying news, of harmed, abused , neglected, murdered ect….most recently , where serious drugs were involved; baby Ayla !!!! being the most recent… Have you read the stats on REHAB… recently?..Is that yoiur answer!!
How much time would she have gotten if her child died?
Probably a year or 2 —ridiculous
with a plea of insanity? a two month stint at acadia.
WOW – she got the same sentence as that McBride dude did – and he stole 3,000 known pills – who knows how many unknown pills he stole? And he got the same sentence – something is wrong here!
Welcome to the Maine Justice System.
Yeah, but those were only from veterans, you know the folks our Homeland Security Secretary says are terrorists.
Yeah, she let her kid eat coke. She should have gotten MUCH more.
She should have gotten a longer jail sentence. She lucky the child didn’t die.
I personally don’t care if she gets Mainecare or whatever else. It’s not like I get a say in my tax money anyways look at the war spending ! What 51% of my taxs spent to drop bombs on poor people. But yeah letting your kid inject drugs is horrible
How about, rehab, parenting classes, and being followed by Child Protective Services if and when she gets her child back? How is jail going to help???? Probably come out worse then when she went in…we need to educate these people to teach them a better way, or they will continue to be a drain on society’s butt and we will have to pay for them one way or another either on welfare OR being incarcerated either way we ARE paying for them.
I’d rather pay for her than all those rich government officials and ceo’s of all those big wig companies that STEAL from us daily!!! Take a look at all the connections within the gov that allows all the rich financial breaks. Those are the ones DRAINING OFF US!!! Wow you have your head up your butt. These welfare folks take NOTHING compared to the 23 million that our own appropriation committee gave to their own companies, Newt took 2.5 million from Freddie Mack etc. Take a look at the real DRAIN!!
Oh please I bet you have a new car, a computer, cell phone, a home, well where does this stuff come from the big COMPANIES DUHHHHHHH. You can’t handle the truth. If you don’t like big companies, get rid of your cell phone, computer, and every other gaget you got and go old school. People like this woman need education, tired of paying for them!
How about this: 10 years and at least her child will be protected from her for a while anyway…
90 days is that all??
I think the judges’ names should be included in the articles.
that would be called responsible reporting but all the hacks at BDN are lazy and only put out liberal media Drive By type articles.
The reporter should have asked if she has been drug tested, asked if the police had arrested anyone else for supplying the drugs, the reported should of followed up with DHHS to see if she has been kicked off the dole etc. But I would never expect a BDN reporter to follow up and ask tangible questions because that is work!
What is with the justice system in Maine? That baby could have died from eating cocaine and the mother gets only 90 days? What possible reasoning did that judge use to give her such a light sentence?
The baby has no permanent damage? How do they know this? I can’t imagine that eating enough cocaine to make the child stop breathing wouldn’t do some other type of damage as well. I hope that will not be the case and she’ll be fine.
Time and time again I see the names of habitual offenders in the court news. They usually end up with a slap on the wrist and go on their way so they can commit the same crimes all over again. It’s sickening.
It’s time for our judges to put away their warm fuzzies and start doling out some REAL PUNISHMENTS for a change.
“Jones apologized at her sentencing and told the judge that she’s going to be the best mother she can be from here on out.” …….Does this mean she still have this child? When she gets out of jail, will she being going home to this child running up to her, rams reaching up shouting, mommy, mommy,mommy! Please some one tell me this not going to be the case here……..please!
Drug testing works.
http://www.floridafga.org/2011/10/floridas-drug-test-law-for-welfare-cash-assistance-first-quarter-facts-2/
I bet her family is SO proud of her…
To report information about drug crimes,
call MDEA at 800-452-6457
Visit its website at http://www.maine.gov/dps/mdea
Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/maine.drug.enforcement.agency
everybody should get tested , whether its for a drivers licence or high school diploma , everybody thats alive on earth.
Do you see the blank look of nothing in this girls eyes, that’s drug addiction. She will not be the best mother ever until she has a serious stint in drug rehabilitation. She’s not even here in the present and I doubt she has much memory of the day her daughter swallowed the cocaine.
Another DHHS Spokes person LOL
Poster child as to why we need mandatory drug testing for DHHS benefits.
It’s amazing that such irresponsible people can keep their children. As a good parent who lost a custody battle and whose child was moved across the country, I can’t help but feel shaking these so-called mothers who don’t seem to give a damn about taking care of their children. Really?? Leaving cocaine around the house for your child to get into. How selfish do you have be? Is she going to dare tell that child that she plead ‘not guilty’ to allowing her kid to OD?
I see she plead not guilty at first and changed her plea to guilty sorry if you saw my previous post I didnt know she had plead not guilty first
That’s okay.
I don’t know what is more discouraging, the article or the anonymous self righteous comments in the comments section. I see hope in the article and arrogance in the comments.
The ability to procreate does not, unfortunately, confer the ability to parent.
should have goten 90 years not days
she should not get a second chance with her child you only get one and if you mess it up then it is on you .
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SECOND CHANCE????? why so the next time the poor kid can die…. What a load of crap. If she was a good mother this would have never happened in the first place. There are such things as mistakes dont get me wrong BUT THIS was not a mistake this was a BAD DECISION she made that put her child in danger.
I love it….this whole page of comments have to do with everyone being a District Court Judge…which they are not….they just like to judge people, and not themselves…God forbid…. Remember…Matthew 7: 1-4
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be meausred to you.
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in this woman’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye…You reap what you sow…..folks. Mother and daughter will do fine without all your hypocrisy views….
These remarks were made earlier before the harsh comments evidently came streaming in:
So glad to see the positive responses to this. Nice to see people reaching out a helping hand instead of a kick in the teeth. Does us all good and leaves a refreshing taste in our mouthes.
“Jillian Jones of Bingham”
Are you people aware drug dealers are selling drugs and smoking POT right in the open in Bingham, there is no hiding , no shame. even in broad daylight, like drugs are already legal. I talk to people who live in Bingham and moved out of Bingham and they tell me what is going on.
Those of you that want to legalize drugs,that life would be better in this country, when is the last time you heard someone say, ‘i want to move to Bingham and raise a family’
This is so sad. The war on drugs needs to come to an end. People with addiction are like people with diabetes or cancer or some other disease which they received through no fault of their own. Should I degrade a diabetic because they ate sugar? Should I degrade some one with breast cancer or skin cancer because they sat in the sunshine? Someone who receives an affliction like neurotransmitter dependent addiction is not responsible for getting the illness and we as an intelligent society need to use our superior intelligence to see the problem as it exists; pretend to be a scientist. Jail will not help this young woman, she needs medical attention from intelligent doctors; treatment from corrections officers will not help one bit. The judge needs to receive a Writ of Error: Coram Nobis.