Mother charged with neglect, possession of meth

A Bloomington mother was arrested Thursday after police found meth in the apartment she shares with her 7-year-old daughter.

Earlier, the Department of Child Services had received a tip regarding a possible meth lab in the apartment of Jaba Denson, 37, Sgt. Jeff Canada of the Bloomington Police Department said.

The department contacted the BPD, and officers accompanied a Child Services worker to Denson’s residence. After searching the apartment, the officers did not find a meth lab, Canada said.

They did, however, find meth in both a clothing drawer and Denson’s purse.

Denson was arrested and charged with possession of more than 3 grams of meth within 1,000 feet of a public housing complex, an A felony.

She was also charged with possession of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a public housing complex, a C felony, and maintaining a common nuisance, a D felony.

In addition, Denson was charged with neglect of a dependent, a C felony.
Denson’s daughter was released into the custody of a relative.

— Jake New