WATERVILLE — A woman was arrested on Thursday after police say they found her and her four children living in “squalor” and also found drug paraphernalia in the city apartment.
Elizabeth O’Neil, 23, was arrested at her apartment at 20 High St. on multiple charges at 7:11 p.m. Police received a call from someone familiar with the family to check on the welfare of her children around 4:15 p.m., said Deputy Chief Bill Bonney. The four children are all less than 10 years old.
The officers allegedly found what Bonney described as “extremely unsanitary conditions not fit for kids.”
“The apartment was in a squalor,” he said.
Through an investigation, police also allegedly found hypodermic needles, crack and marijuana pipes and spoons dusted with cocaine residue. Bonney said that the needles and other items were reportedly out of reach for the children.
O’Neil allegedly admitted to the officers that she used drugs.
The children were placed in the custody of a family member.
O’Neil was arrested on charges of endangering the welfare of children, a Class D misdemeanor; possession of hypodermic needles, a Class D misdemeanor; possession of drug paraphernalia, a civil violation; and possession of cocaine, a scheduled W drug, a Class C felony. She was also placed on probation hold. O’Neil has prior drug convictions, Bonney said.
O’Neil was taken to Kennebec County jail in Augusta, and cash bail was set at a total of $2,500, though she can’t post bail because of the probation hold, Bonney said.
Madeline St. Amour – 861-9239
mstamour@centralmaine.com
Twitter: @madelinestamour