Woman charged with child endangerment

SALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake woman has been charged with child endangerment after her 19-month-old daughter was found to have alcohol on her breath and later tested positive for cocaine and amphetamines.

The 20-year-old woman was not at home Aug. 2 when Salt Lake City police officers arrived at her apartment.

But her 19-month-old daughter was there alone.

Officers discovered the little girl with feces smeared on her face and smelled a strong smell of alcohol on the girl's breath, according to charges filed in 3rd District Court on Friday.

Eventually, officers located the girl's mother, who said she left the child alone in the apartment, charges state. A drug test later revealed the girl tested positive for cocaine and amphetamines.

The woman has been charged with child endangerment, a third-degree felony, which could land her in prison if she's convicted.

— Joseph M. Dougherty