A Jones County woman remains behind bars today after being charged with child neglect. Sheriff Alex Hodge said, “Toni Elizabeth Pryor was charged with Child Neglect of a seven month old. At approximately 9:00 p.m. Deputy Julius McGruder responded to 4000 block of Sharon Road in reference to a welfare concern. Sergeant Tonya Madison with the Investigative Division said, “Upon arrival the deputy observed a vehicle in the driveway running with the driver’s side door opened. The vehicle was checked and inside was a seven-month old baby boy in the back passenger seat with the heater on and all the windows were up. As other Deputies arrived to assist, they knocked on the residence door but were met with negative results. Deputies then made entry into the residence and found the mother of the child, Toni Elizabeth Pryor asleep. The mother had to be awakened by deputies, she appeared to be very disoriented and after being questioned, she stated that she had taken Xanax and smoked Meth. Department of Human Services was contacted and the child was placed in the custody of relatives.”

According to Sergeant Madison, Pryor was arrested in 2009 and out on bond after being charged with possession of precursors with intent to manufacture Meth and possession of Meth. Pryor went before Jones County Justice Court Judge Billie Graham Tuesday where her bond was revoked.

Pryor remains in the Jones County Adult Detention Center on charges of Child Neglect.

“Sheriff Hodge commented, “It is always a very unfortunate situation especially when children are involved. Summer months are extremely hot and children should never be left unattended in a vehicle even if it’s only for a brief period. If you see a child alone in a hot vehicle, call your local law enforcement agency, and if they are in distress due to heat, one should get them out of the vehicle as quickly as possible."