Police arrest mother of baby in foster care who died in hot car
The mother of a 4-month-old girl who died after being left in a hot car while in the care of a foster parent in Phoenix three months ago was arrested by Mesa police on Monday on suspicion of drug charges.
Jennifer R. Haley, 29, was contacted by Mesa Police Department officers about 4 p.m. Dec. 30 in the area of Main Street and Country Club Drive for arrest warrants when she was found with a syringe and methamphetamine, according to a probable cause statement police submitted to the court.
She faces charges of possession of a dangerous drug and possession of drug paraphernalia, court records said.
On Oct. 1, Haley's daughter, 4month-old Samora Cousin, died after her foster parent left her in a hot car in Phoenix.
The infant was in the care of her foster father, Roger Ham, at the time of her death. Haley told The Arizona Republic in October that Arizona Department of Child Safety officials said Samora was born with drugs in her system and, therefore, was taken from her.
At the time, Haley disputed the agency's claims and said she tested clean for drugs multiple times.
Ham told police he had picked Samora up for an appointment and then forgot her in the vehicle when he returned to work at the Washington Elementary School District transportation facility, officials said.
Possible charges against Ham were still being considered last month by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. Jennifer Liewer, spokeswoman for the County Attorney's Office, told The Republic on Friday that she would not be able to provide an update until Monday.
DCS spokesman Darren DaRonco did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding its investigation into Samora's death.