FROM CHIEF P.K. JOHNSON
MILLBROOK POLICE DEPARTMENT
On October 21, 2023, an infant, whose mother was suspected of being under the influence of narcotics prior to delivery, was delivered at Jackson Hospital. During the course of normal post-delivery treatment, the infant tested positive for cocaine in its system.
During the course of an investigation, it was discovered that the infant’s mother, later identified as Miriam Abram, a 30-year-old Millbrook resident, allegedly used/ingested cocaine at a Millbrook residence prior to giving birth to the child. Ms. Abram had been arrested by Millbrook detectives in December 2020, being charged with Chemical Endangerment of a Child, under similar circumstances present in this case. Ms. Abram, who failed to appear in Elmore County Circuit Court pursuant to the 2020 criminal case, was wanted on a felony Failure to Appear warrant issued in that case.
On October 23, 2023, Abram, who had been discharged from Jackson Hospital, was contacted by Millbrook police officers and detectives, who took her into custody on the existing Failure to Appear warrant, which was issued in the 2020 case. Ms. Abram was placed in the Elmore County Jail pursuant to the existing arrest warrant.
Pursuant to an investigation, detectives with the Millbrook Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit obtained a warrant against Miriam Abram for Chemical Endangerment of a Child, which was served upon Abram, while in the custody of the Elmore County Jail, on Tuesday October 24, 2023, under a $60,000.00 bond pertaining to the new charge.
This is a very sad case. Sad because it involves an infant child. A child, who did not make the decision to be born, nor capable of making a decision to ingest narcotics that may or may not impact their health and ability to thrive for the remainder of their life.
After speaking with our investigators, it is my understanding that we’ve petitioned the Elmore County District Attorney’s Office assistance in revoking Abram’s bond on the original 2020 charge of Chemical Endangerment of a Child. A motion was filed in court and has been granted, which means that the offender will be held without bond.
The Alabama Department of Human Resources have been contacted with regard to this case and will take steps to ensure the safety and welfare of the infant child in this case. Our officers are also parents, in some cases grandparents. Cases like this make you want to go home and hug your children/grandchildren and be thankful for the blessing that children are. No child should be born having been exposed to narcotics before drawing a breath.
