PROVO, Utah — A Provo woman is facing two felony charges of child endangerment following a disturbing series of events that led to her 13-year-old daughter attempting suicide. The case has shed light on unsafe living conditions, including drug use and allegations of sexual abuse.
According to the Provo Police Department, authorities were alerted on Monday, March 10, to a high-priority child abuse and neglect case involving the 13-year-old girl and her 9-year-old brother. The girl had been hospitalized after attempting to take her own life. During her time at the hospital, she confided in medical staff about the dire circumstances at home.
The girl described a living situation marked by severe neglect, stating that there was no food, water, or Wi-Fi in their trailer. She also revealed that she, her brother, and their mother did not have access to regular bathing facilities. In an especially troubling account, the girl told hospital staff that she had woken up next to one of her mother’s sexual partners, which she indicated as the trigger for her suicide attempt.
In the wake of the girl’s disclosure, both children were placed into the care of the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) for their safety.
The following day, DCFS workers visited the trailer, where the mother admitted to using methamphetamine while her children were present. Later, Provo police executed a search warrant at the residence and tested for methamphetamine exposure. During questioning, the mother acknowledged smoking methamphetamine in the trailer but denied using the drug in front of her children. When asked whether she understood the risks of secondhand methamphetamine exposure, she reportedly stated she was unaware of the dangers.
When asked about the reason for her arrest, the woman responded, “Yes, because I did that, and I didn’t know it was wrong.”
The woman, whose identity has not been released to protect the victims, was booked into the Utah County Jail on two third-degree felony charges of child endangerment.
The children remain in DCFS custody, and the investigation into the case is ongoing. Authorities have not ruled out additional charges.
This case serves as a tragic reminder of the significant toll that neglect, abuse, and drug use can have on vulnerable children. Law enforcement and child welfare agencies continue to urge