Hartley, Iowa — A Hartley couple have been arrested on a warrant for neglect and child endangerment charges after a hair sample from a child in the home indicated marijuana use.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the O’Brien County Clerk of Court’s Office by the Hartley Police Department, 26-year-old Johnathan Peters and 25-year-old Victoria Barnes are accused of using marijuana in the presence of a child. They were arrested on Monday.
In his statement, the officer says that the child tested positive for THC metabolite, which indicates marijuana use in the home. The officer says both Peters and Barnes have admitted to using marijuana daily, but not in the presence of the child.
Both were charged with neglect or abandonment of a dependent person, a class C felony. If convicted, they could face up to ten years in prison, each. They also both face a misdemeanor charge of child endangerment.
They face a preliminary hearing on the charges on January 8, 2024.
At last report, both remained in the O’Brien County Jail in Primghar on twin $10,000 cash or surety bonds.
