4 arrested after baby found in car with pills within reach

LONDON, Ky. (WTVQ) – A child found in a car with pills within its reach was handed over to relatives after deputies arrested the infant’s mother and father on wanton endangerment and public intoxication charges.

Sheriff John Root says it all started Wednesday evening when an off-duty deputy was approached by a local person who told him about a pregnant woman under the influence inside the Walmart.

The deputy found the woman in the store, and determined she was under the influence.  He also learned that the car the woman came in was in the parking lot.

Additional deputies arrived, and found the car.  Inside were two men and the baby in a car seat.  Investigators say both men were under the influence, and that there were pills in the backseat within the child’s reach, along with additional pills and syringes in the front.

The baby’s mother was not there, but was called to the scene to get her child.  Deputies say relatives told them the woman would likely not arrive, due to outstanding warrants and an alleged substance abuse problem.

Deputies eventually tracked down the mother at a gas station about a ½ a mile away.  Investigators say she, too, was under the influence, and was arrested.

Officers charged 24-year-old Jessica Marie Denton, the pregnant woman found in the Walmart, with wanton endangerment, public intoxication, and possession of paraphernalia, along with outstanding bench warrants out of Laurel County.

Both men in the car were also arrested.  31-year-old Joshua Strunk, the baby’s father, along with 37-year-old Christopher Michael Wells were charged with wanton endangerment, public intoxication, and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Both men also had outstanding warrants.

The baby’s mother, 31-year-old Leann Lannen was charged with public intoxication, along with warrants out of Laurel County.

All four were taken to the Laurel County Detention Center.