Deputies: Women bring baby along for drug crime

By Jon Erickson

POSTED: 6:50 PM Feb 07 2013   UPDATED: 9:45 PM Feb 07 2013

Two women are charged with child abuse for allegedly bringing a baby to a drug buy.

Ashley Hargett, 26, and Alexandria Harrell, 24,  brought a one-year-old boy with them while they tried to use a fake prescription to get oxycodone Wednesday night, according to Craven County deputies.

Hargett is dating the baby's father, authorities said.

The pair allegedly brought the boy to a Realo store in New Bern.

The plan didn't work; deputies arrested the pair and charged them with misdemeanor child abuse for having the child with them during the drug scheme, a sheriff's spokesperson said.

Each faces a count of felony conspiracy, in addition to the child abuse charge.

Harrell, of the Vanceboro area, was in custody and couldn't comment; Hargett declined comment at her home in Pamlico County.

The baby was with his father and Hargett in Pamlico County; there were no reports of the child having been hurt.