Mother of missing SC toddler charged with sibling's neglect
PENDLETON, S.C. -- The mother of a missing 1-year-old northwest South Carolina girl has been charged with neglecting the toddler's 3-year-old sister.
Anderson County sheriff's deputies told local media that 22-year-old Kiara Sullivan was charged after a drug test show that the older child was exposed to methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana.
One-year-old Leaona Cheyanne Wright has been missing from her apartment complex in Pendleton since June 6.
Deputies say Sullivan tested positive for cocaine and marijuana.
The Department of Social Services placed the 3-year-old girl and her 6-year-old brother in protective custody June 11.
Sullivan's boyfriend, 33-year-old Travis Jones, has also been charged with child neglect. He's accused of using drugs while caring for the girl.
Jones already was in custody on a sentence of failure to pay child support to another woman.
Police say Sullivan and Jones gave them misinformation about the circumstances of Leaona's disappearance and hindered their investigation, reports CBS affiliate WSPA.
It was not clear if Sullivan and Jones have attorneys.
In an unrelated case, Sullivan and the missing child's father Richard Wright are facing assault charges for allegedly threatening to hurt a Wendy's employee, reports the station.
Sullivan's bond was set at $1092.50 on a third-degree assault and battery charge and $5000 for an unlawful child neglect charge at a hearing Wednesday. Jones bond was set at $15,000 on an unlawful child neglect charge, according to WSPA.