ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A mother accused of withholding HIV medication from her 1-year-old child is now in custody after police put out a call for help in locating her.
Britneyeaunya Blackmon, a 32-year-old St. Louis County woman, was charged with abuse or neglect of a child on June 10.
According to charging documents, Blackmon was HIV-positive when she was pregnant but did not take the medication necessary to prevent the child from contracting the virus. After giving birth, doctors repeatedly told her she needed to provide her child with medicine to prevent serious infection or death.
The charging documents said the child's medical records showed significant viral load elevation, which puts the child's health at serious risk.
The St. Louis County Children's Division got a protective order through family court, but the mother did not appear at those proceedings and did not surrender her child.
Earlier this month, police asked for the public's help in finding Blackmon. On Friday, June 25, St. Louis County police announced U.S. Marshals took her into custody without incident in north St. Louis County.
Blackmon's child was with her at the time and was safe.
Her bond was set at $100,000.
Related Articles:
- What the severe nationwide blood shortage means for St. Louis hospitals
- St. Louis Mayor Jones outlines $80M plan 'reimagining what public safety looks like in our community'
- Bomb threat temporarily closes St. Louis art and history museums in Forest Park
- 'I've got nothing to hide': Adam Wainwright talks about his experience using a foreign substance on the mound
