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Baby found wrapped in marijuana-laced blanket

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Four people were arrested Friday after police in Port St. Lucie said a 6-month-old baby was found wrapped in a marijuana-laced blanket during a drug raid.

At around 6 a.m., police and SWAT team members executed a drug search warrant at a home in the 800 block of SW Amethist Terrace. 

Police said during a search of the residence they found a baby wrapped in a blanket (picture below) containing "marijuana droppings." 

The home also had mold growing on the walls and an infestation of cockroaches throughout the house, according to investigators. 

Detectives called the child’s mother, Maranda Lynn Bailey, 20, of Port St. Lucie, who was not at the home during the search warrant, back to the house. 

Investigators interviewed Bailey and learned that she was aware of the activities at the house and the conditions of the home but still chose to leave the baby in the custody of the occupants of the house.

During a search of the house detectives said they seized drug paraphernalia (digital scale, a glass marijuana smoking device, Ziploc bag with smaller baggies, plastic bags with marijuana residue, marijuana grinder), marijuana under 20 grams, and recovered a previous reported stolen .38 special linked to 24-year-old Jermaine Junior Anselme.

Bailey was arrested on charges of child neglect. 

Also arrested in the raid were:

  • Anselme of Port St. Lucie, who is charged with theft of a firearm, child neglect, possession of firearm by convicted felon, tampering with serial number of a firearm and possession of marijuana under 20 grams. 
  • Ashleigh Renee Johnson, 23, of Port St. Lucie, charged with child neglect, possession of marijuana less than 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. 
  • A fourth suspect, Norman Lanel Holley, 25, of Fort Pierce charged with possession of marijuana under 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police arrested the four suspects and transported them to the St. Lucie County Jail.  Department of Children and Families responded to the scene and took custody of the 6-month-old baby.