Saturday evening, Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office Deputies conducted a traffic stop that led to a Bell woman being arrested.
Deputies arrested 35-year-old Ashley Marie Sheppard of Bell. They found that she was driving with a suspended license.
While speaking with her, deputies learned there may be narcotics in the vehicle. A subsequent search found methamphetamine in Sheppard’s bag, a GCSO Facebook post said.
On top of all this, a 2-year-old child that Sheppard said she was taking care of.
As deputies continued their investigation, they found the child’s diaper was soaked through and clothing was dirty and wet and there were clear signs of neglect, according to the post.
The child appeared to have gone without proper hygiene and care for an extended period of time, the post said.
Sheppard was placed under arrest and transported to the Gilchrist County Jail without incident, and the child was turned over to the Department of Children and Families.
Sheppard is facing charges of felony child neglect, possession of a controlled substance and driving while license suspended.
“This is completely unacceptable,” Sheriff Bobby Schultz said. “No child should ever have to endure conditions like this. I am incredibly proud of our deputies for recognizing the severity of the situation, stepping in, and ensuring this child was removed from harm. Their actions may very well have saved this child’s life, and at the very least placed them in a much safer environment where they can receive the care they deserve.”