PALATKA, Fla. — A Palatka woman is facing multiple charges after deputies found her and three young children asleep in a vehicle outside a church with drugs inside, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred late Sunday, May 3, when Deputy Lowe noticed a vehicle parked outside Midway Baptist Church on Bardin Road while responding to another call. When she returned to the area, the vehicle was still there.
Deputies approached and found a woman, later identified as 33-year-old Amanda Burkes, asleep in the vehicle along with three children ranging in age from an infant to 4 years old.
After additional deputies arrived, Burkes was awakened and initially told officers there were no drugs in the vehicle. A search of the car, however, uncovered marijuana, drug paraphernalia and what authorities described as trafficking amounts of methamphetamine.
Burkes was arrested and charged with three counts of child neglect, trafficking in amphetamine, possession of a vehicle for drug activity, possession of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a place of worship, marijuana possession and possession of drug equipment.
She was booked into the Putnam County Jail and is being held without bond.
Authorities said a family member was contacted and took custody of the children.