Mother Left Newborn At Hospital, Arrested On Meth Charges

(Editor's note: a previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Elliott had been arrested for abandoning the baby.)

CANTON, GA — A Woodstock woman is in custody after leaving Northside Hospital Cherokee earlier this month, where she had just had a baby. She's being held on several charges, including possession of methamphetamine.

Jessica Elliott, 25, went missing from the hospital on Jan. 9, according to reports, the day after giving birth to a baby.

Hospital staff were worried about Elliott, having told police she was susceptible to post-partum hemorrhaging, the Cherokee Tribune reported. They also told police Elliott had tested positive for methamphetamine and marijuana.

Elliott's baby tested positive for the drugs, as well.

Using security footage, police were able to track down a person seen leaving Elliott's room at the hospital on Jan. 9 before Elliott was seen leaving in the video. She told police she dropped Elliott off at the Canton Wal-mart, the Tribune reported.

Elliott was arrested at her residence on North Rope Mill Road on Jan. 10 by Cherokee County Sheriff's deputies after they were called to check on her, the sheriff's office said, and made contact with her about arrest warrants from another county. She was taken to the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center.

Holly Springs PD charged Elliott with receiving stolen property, theft by receiving stolen property and giving a false name.

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office investigated the DFCS claim that Elliott's newborn tested positive for drugs. They're charging Elliott with possession of methamphetamine and first degree cruelty to a child.

Elliott is being held without bond.

Article image provided by Cherokee County Sheriff's Office