Paullina, Iowa — Last week we told you about a Paullina man, 29-year-old Johnathan Barnes, who is facing multiple felony charges after authorities allege he gave controlled substances and prescription medications to his children. Now comes word that another adult, 28-year-old Victoria Barnes of Madison, South Dakota, is facing the same charges.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office with the O’Brien County Clerk of Court, Victoria Barnes is also accused of providing the children with medications that had not been prescribed to them. Barnes was arrested last week.
The complaint states that Barnes admitted to a deputy that she had given the children the prescription medications. Authorities say one of those medications was classified as a controlled substance.
Urine samples collected during the investigation also allegedly tested positive for the substances.
Victoria Barnes has been charged with drug distribution violation to a person under the age of 18, a Class B felony; two counts of prescription drug violation involving a minor, Class C felonies; and two counts of child endangerment, which are misdemeanor-level offenses. These are the exact same charges as her co-defendant, Johnathan Barnes.
A Class B felony is punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Each Class C felony carries a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years.
Barnes is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on Friday, July 24th.
At last report, she remained in the O’Brien County Jail in Primghar in lieu of bond.
The charges are allegations, and Barnes is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
