CONCORD, N.C. — A traffic stop led to child abuse charges after police found a man smoking marijuana in the car with two young children in the back seat.
Police said it was a typical traffic stop when Rashard Jones was arrested Tuesday.
But they said when they walked up to the window, they first smelled marijuana, then saw two young children in the car.
Concord police say 22-year-old Rashard Jones was smoking a marijuana cigar while 30-year-old Marie Ramos was driving.
They said it all happened at this intersection of Bruton Smith Boulevard and Weddington Road.
Police pulled over Ramos' rental car for an illegal U-turn. When officers walked up to the car they smelled marijuana.
Channel 9 went by Jones' home and spoke to his mother who said she had no clue her son was smoking marijuana with two children, ages 4 and 1, in the car.
"That's just crazy because you're not supposed to do that around the children anyway, not kids," said Jones. "Cause then they grow up to do what you do."
Jones' grandmother said he's still in jail Wednesday night and they have no plans to bail him out.
"I am glad he is where he is right now. Because this is his lesson, and nobody can learn it for him," said Barbara Reeves.
Police said not only were the children left breathing in the smoke, but neither was buckled into a child safety seat. Jones' mother has a message for her son now behind bars.
"He needs to sit down and do what he needs to do because he's been running for too long anyway," she said.
Jones is being held on $64,000 bond for felony probation violation and a marijuana possession charge.
The driver was given a citation for misdemeanor child abuse.
There is no word on the condition of the children.
WSOC
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