Mother arrested after taking drugs in car with her children

Katanna Lashae White

A woman was arrested after she was caught taking drugs in a car while her children were present.

Collegedale Police were dispatched to the Walmart parking lot in the 5500 block of Little Debbie Parkway after a person was observed consuming illegal drugs in a parked vehicle.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a person placing groceries in the back seat of a vehicle matching the description of the car they were looking for. The person was identified and said that his wife and two young children remained in the car while they were in the store.

When officers attempted to make contact with the man's wife, they found her nearly asleep in the passenger seat and showing signs of intoxication. Not realizing officers were at her window, she woke up and began taking a suspected narcotic.

Officers immediately removed her from the vehicle and identified her as Katanna Lashae White of Dayton.

The couple's children, ages 6 and 3, were also in the vehicle with Ms. White.

Ms. White was charged with two counts of child abuse and neglect and possession of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia.

The incident was reported to the Department of Children Services for further processing. The children were released to their other parent at the scene.