Suspected pot-smoking Port St. Lucie couple arrested on child neglect charges

PORT ST. LUCIE — A 22-year-old woman who said she smoked marijuana while pregnant was arrested Monday on a felony child neglect charge, according to affidavits released Tuesday.

When police arrived at Kimberly A. Reeder's home in the 2700 block of Southeast South Blackwell Drive in Port St. Lucie Monday evening, an officer smelled a strong smell of pot inside. Reeder and 26-year-old Derek C. Nelson, who also was arrested, were there at the time.

The state Department of Children and Families had received allegations that Reeder had a baby on Saturday and that the child tested positive for marijuana.

Nelson is the child's father, Officer Tom Nichols , police spokesman, said Tuesday.

In talking with a DCF investigator, Reeder and Nelson said they smoked marijuana just before officials arrived while the baby was in the home.

"She (Reeder) also confirmed that she did smoke marijuana while pregnant and that she currently breast feeds the baby," an affidavit states.

Nelson handed over a small amount of marijuana and about 10 pot smoking pipes.

Reeder and Nelson looked "high" as investigators spoke with them.

Police thought neither could properly care for the 3-day-old infant.

Reeder and Nelson, also of the 2700 block of Southeast South Blackwell Drive in Port St. Lucie, each were arrested on a felony child neglect charge.

Nelson also was arrested on misdemeanor charges of possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.