Opinion ID: 2539450
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Sufficiency of the Evidence Exposure of a Child to Methamphetamine

Text: For her last point on appeal, Appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence supporting her conviction of exposing a child to methamphetamine. She claims the State did not offer sufficient evidence to prove that she, with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine, knowingly permitted or caused a child to be exposed to methamphetamine. Arkansas Code Annotated § 5-27-230 provides that any adult who, with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine, knowingly causes or permits a child to be exposed to, ingest, inhale, or have any contact with a chemical substance or methamphetamine is guilty of a[ ] felony. Ark. Code Ann. § 5-27-230(b)(1) (Repl.2006). The statute further states that intent may be demonstrated by the substance's use, quantity, manner of storage, or proximity to another precursor or equipment used to manufacture methamphetamine. Id. Once again, we conclude that there was substantial evidence offered at trial that Appellant's children had been exposed to the chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Appellant had been living at the residence for at least two weeks. She concedes that she was aware methamphetamine was being manufactured on the premises. The officer who approached the premises testified that he noticed a distinct odor emanating from the trailer, which he recognized as an odor associated with methamphetamine labs. The children's clothes had the same odor. In fact, the children had to be decontaminated before being taken to the hospital. Tests conducted at the hospital indicated that the children had been exposed to methamphetamine or its precursors. Furthermore, as set forth earlier in this opinion, there was sufficient evidence to support Appellant's conviction of manufacturing methamphetamine. Accordingly, we affirm on all three counts of exposing a child to methamphetamine. The record reflects sufficient evidence to prove that Appellant intended to manufacture methamphetamine and knowingly permitted her children to be exposed to methamphetamine. Circuit Court affirmed. Court of Appeals affirmed in part; reversed in part.