Paragould Woman Faces Felonies for Allegedly Smoking Marijuana With Teens

PARAGOULD, Ark. — A Paragould woman was arrested June 6 after investigators said she smoked marijuana with teenagers and provided it to them on multiple occasions, according to a probable cause affidavit from the Paragould Police Department.

Karen Loyd, 34, faces two felony counts of introducing a controlled substance into the body of another, along with two counts each of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, all Class A misdemeanors.

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The Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline received a report on April 9 alleging that Loyd had smoked marijuana with a teenager several times. A home drug test conducted April 6 was positive for THC, and the result was later confirmed by the teen’s primary care provider, police said.

The teenager told investigators they had smoked marijuana with Loyd repeatedly since turning 15.

Between April 10 and May 20, multiple juveniles were interviewed and either reported seeing Loyd smoke marijuana with teenagers or admitted receiving marijuana from her and using it inside her home, according to the affidavit.

On April 29, the Department of Children and Family Services contacted Loyd and requested a drug test. Investigators said the result was positive for THC and other substances. Loyd allegedly admitted to smoking marijuana with several teenagers at her residence.

On May 1, a teenager told an Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division investigator that Loyd had provided marijuana to them and a group of teenage friends on multiple occasions. A 12-year-old sibling of the teen also said they saw Loyd smoking marijuana with the group.

Loyd was arrested June 6 and declined to make a statement, according to police. Judge Dan Stidham set her bail at $25,000 cash only and ordered her to wear an ankle monitor and have no contact with minors or the alleged victims.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.