A Missouri Couple allegedly abandoned their children at a courthouse after one of them failed a drug test. They gave a shocking reason for leaving the kid at the scene.
According to a report by KCTV, 36-year-old Jeremy A. Lamp and his wife, 31-year-old Jessica A. Lamp, attended a mandatory drug screening at the Livingston County Courthouse on Tuesday. They reportedly brought their son to the establishment.
Authorities claim that Jeremy’s test came back negative. However, Jessica’s didn’t, and flagged a positive result for methamphetamine use. Officials reportedly gave the couple three choices concerning their child, as they couldn’t all stay in the same house. Jessica could stay away from the home, Jeremy could stay away with the child, or their son could stay with a relative.
KCTV explains that none of those options suited the Lamps, and they just abandoned their son at the courthouse. They reportedly left him alone without a change of clothes, food, or infant care.
Police Asked The Couple Why They Abandoned Their Child
A report by People cites a probable cause statement. It alleges that after the test results, Jeremy pushed the child’s car seat towards a county official. The worker told the couple they “couldn’t leave the baby with them.” They did anyway, and officers apprehended the couple within an hour.
KCTV explains that officers quizzed the couple about their actions. When they spoke to Jeremy, he figured, “they were gonna take him anyway.” Authorities asked Jessica the same question, although she reportedly could not explain why they left their child.
The outlet claims that Jessica and Jeremy both have criminal records and showed no remorse for the incident at the courthouse. Jeremy has previous convictions including assault, DWI, and leaving the scene of an accident. Jessica was previously convicted of child endangerment.
Authorities have charged both with child neglect, which carries a maximum jail term of 7 years. Officers are reportedly holding both with a $10,000 bond.
In another bizarre crime, authorities in Florida arrested a man earlier this month who reportedly left sharp objects under emergency vehicle tires. Following his antics, authorities gave him the nickname “the Nail Bandit” and revealed he had been sabotaging vehicles for 19 months. Officers apprehended the man at a traffic stop, and he confessed to six separate incidents.