On January 19, Corinth Police Department was notified by Child Protective Services regarding a baby that had just been born at Magnolia Regional Health Center.
CPS informed authorities that the mother, Whitley Bates, had tested positive for methamphetamine among other drugs and had left the hospital without being discharged and without her baby. The newborn also tested positive for methamphetamine.
Bates was arrested for a felony child abuse charge that includes neglect and endangerment regarding the presence of dangerous drugs. Detective Swindle will present this case to an Alcorn County Grand Jury.
