Woman arrested on drug, endangerment charges

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- An East Prairie woman has been arrested on drug charges and endangering the welfare of a child.

Nicole L. White, 29, also is charged with resisting arrest, according to a report from the East Prairie Police Department.

At 4:19 p.m. Sept. 23, officer Joleda Douglas and animal control officer Benjamin Miller responded to a call of a dangerous dog that appeared to be attacking a small child at 309 Third St., according the a report from the police department.

By the time the officers arrived, two neighbors had detained the dog and secured the child. After several failed attempts to make contact with a parent or guardian inside the house, Douglas and Miller went in, the report said. No one appeared to be there, but the two saw several drug-related items consistent with methamphetamine.

Since the officers were unable to call family members, the child was taken into protective custody.

Approximately two hours later, the child's father, who was identified as Craig A. White, 39, of East Prairie was found at his job and informed of the incident. He said he had not been in town for more than 24 hours and wondered where his wife was, according to the report.

He told officers his wife was supposed to be at home with the child while he was working and that the child requires special care and supervision for autism.

Around 7:30 p.m., Nicole White called police after receiving a call from her husband. She said she made a quick trip to the Dollar Store, but refused to come to the police station. Officers later found her hiding behind a tractor at a local business near her home. She was arrested and admitted to being under the influence of alcohol and drugs, according to the police department.

The case has been forwarded to the Mississippi County Prosecutor's Office.

Pertinent address:

East Prairie, Mo.