Couple accused of having pot near baby

By Bridie Isensee
Brazosport Facts, TX
November 26, 2005

FREEPORT — A boyfriend and girlfriend were arrested Thursday night after police said the couple allegedly put a lighted marijuana cigar within reach of a 1-year-old.

Police arrested Daphanie Smith, 24, of Freeport and Jeffery Ballew, 25, of Freeport on charges of possession of marijuana in a drug-free zone and endangering a child, Police Capt. Richard Miller said. The couple was arrested at an apartment complex in the 900 block of North Avenue J about 10 p.m. Thursday.

While responding to a disturbance call at the apartment, police smelled marijuana and saw a sheen of smoke in the apartment, Miller said. The couple admitted to smoking marijuana, he said. Police also found a marijuana cigar on the coffee table, within distance of the woman’s 1-year-old son, and a pound of the drug in the apartment, Miller said.

Nesmith was being held at the Brazoria County Detention Center on Friday in lieu of bonds totaling $50,000. Ballew was being held at the Brazoria County Detention Center on Friday in lieu of bonds totaling $55,000.