An Ottumwa woman faces multiple charges after police say a smoking pipe was discovered near her daughter in a car she was driving.
Cindy Ehrenhard, 44, was charged with child endangerment (aggravated misdemeanor), driving while barred (aggravated misdemeanor), and possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor).
The Ottumwa Police Department says a 1999 Ford Escort driven by Ehrenhard was pulled over on July 24th at 3:23 AM for an equipment violation. A K9 unit was deployed to search the vehicle and indicated the presence of illegal narcotics, according to the criminal complaint.
A probable cause search was conducted, and officers allegedly discovered a glass pipe with drug residue (later determined to be methamphetamine). Authorities say the pipe was found in the passenger’s seat where Ehrenhard’s 13-year-old daughter was sitting, creating a substantial risk to the child’s physical and mental well-being.
Ehrenhard also admitted to officers that her driver’s license was barred, according to court documents.
Ehrenhard was arrested and transported to the Wapello County Jail. She was later freed after posting a $2,000.
Ehrenhard has a preliminary hearing scheduled for August 3rd.
