Traci Carpenter
The state says Traci Carpenter, who last June was sentenced in connection with the 2006 abuse death of her young daughter, has violated probation by testing positive for drug use two months in a row.
Ms. Carpenter was recently taken into custody and she faces a hearing on Friday in front of Criminal Court Judge Don Poole.
A random drug sample of Ms. Carpenter on Jan. 28 found that she had used marijuana, it was stated.
A followup sample on Feb. 18 found use of marijuana, amphetamine and meth.
Probation officials also said she had not followed up with drug treatment.
Ms. Carpenter was sentenced to four years with the Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to child abuse in the death of 18-month-old Sierra Carpenter. She was to serve the first 11 months and 29 days in the workhouse, but after that Ms. Carpenter was placed on house arrest.
Due to the filing of a probation violation, she could be required to serve the remainder of her four-year sentence.
Ms. Carpenter earlier testified against former boyfriend Brian Rutherford, who was charged and tried for the homicide. However, he was not found guilty by a jury.
Ms. Carpenter started dating Rutherford after the tragic accidental death of her first husband, Josh Carpenter, shortly after their marriage. Sierra Carpenter was only two and a half months old at the time.
Ms. Carpenter admitted during her testimony in the Rutherford trial to drug use during this time period. Prosecutors Neal Pinkston and Cameron Williams pointed out that this qualified as prior criminal activity, a potential enhancement to her sentence.