Laurel mom charged with felonious child abuse

JONES COUNTY, Miss - This is a press release from the Jones County Sheriff Department.

In October 2015, the Department of Human Resources received anonymous information reporting Tobi L. Godwin, 23 of Laurel, had been abusing methamphetamines just prior to the birth of her child. The Jones County Sheriff’s Department received a Law Enforcement Referral Package with the information available at the time.

A delay in action occurred when obtaining the medical records became an issue. Once the medical records were secured, there was sufficient evidence showing the Amphetamines and Methamphetamines were in the infant’s system at the time of birth.

Godwin had been picked up on misdemeanor charges on January 18, 2016 and taken into custody at the Jones County Adult Detention Center. She was then charged on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 with Felonious Child Abuse. If found guilty, the maximum sentence would be 10 years in prison.

Godwin will make her initial appearance at Jones County Justice Court at 3:00pm on Wednesday, January 20, 2016.