RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on the case of a mother accused of letting her infant daughter smoke marijuana (all times local):
This undated provided by the Wake County, N.C, Detention Center, shows Brianna Ashanti Lofton, who is accused of allowing her baby to smoke a small cigar in a video that went viral. Police said on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, that Lofton, 20, was charged with marijuana possession and child abuse. (Wake County Detention Center via AP)
4 p.m.
A judge has ordered a mother accused of helping her 1-year-old daughter smoke marijuana not to have contact with the girl while the case is pending.
Brianna Ashanti Lofton of Raleigh made a brief court appearance Thursday on charges including child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Police were alerted to the case after a video of the girl smoking received millions of views on social media.
The Wake County judge set her bond at $100,000.
Lofton said little during the hearing but indicated that she wanted a public defender. The public defender’s office didn’t immediately respond to emails seeking comment after the hearing.
A prosecutor asked for a higher bond, noting that the 20-year-old Lofton has faced several misdemeanor charges in the past two years, including assault and marijuana possession.
No one answered the door Wednesday at a Raleigh address listed for Lofton.
The daughter has been placed with child protective services.
___
1 p.m.
Authorities say a 1-year-old child shown smoking on a viral social media video was inhaling marijuana smoke.
A newly released arrest warrant for the mother says the woman helped the child inhale the marijuana from a blunt.
A version of the video that’s received millions of views shows the hand of an adult off-screen holding the cigarillo to the child’s lips. The child makes a cooing sound and appears to inhale before letting out a puff of smoke.
The mother, 20-year-old Brianna Ashanti Lofton, was arrested Wednesday. She was being held on charges of child abuse, marijuana possession and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Court records didn’t make clear if she has a lawyer.
Police say members of the public alerted them to videos of the child smoking.
© Copyright 2018 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
