Jonesboro Woman Accused of Drug Exposure to Children Faces Three Class Y Felony Charges

JONESBORO, Ark. — A Jonesboro suspect previously arrested after police found three young children left unattended inside a residence is now facing additional felony charges after investigators said the children tested positive for illegal drugs.

Latrica Marie Upshaw, 30, was originally taken into custody Feb. 17, 2026. According to court documents, her three children were placed in the care of the Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Children and Family Services following her arrest.

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Authorities said the children underwent medical evaluations and drug screenings. Results returned March 3, 2026, reportedly showed that all three children tested positive for methamphetamine, cocaine and THC.

Investigators said that during a Mirandized interview with the Jonesboro Police Department, Upshaw denied using methamphetamine or cocaine but admitted to smoking marijuana inside the residence. Court documents state that Upshaw told officers her oldest child, age 5, would sometimes gather the younger siblings — including a 10-month-old infant — and move them into another room when she smoked marijuana.

Upshaw now faces three counts of introducing a controlled substance into another person’s body involving a Schedule I or II narcotic, Class Y felonies, and three counts of introducing a controlled substance involving marijuana, Class C felonies.

Judge David Boling set Upshaw’s bail at $250,000 cash or surety. Conditions of release include a GPS ankle monitor and a blood alcohol monitoring device. Her next court appearance is scheduled for April 23.

Upshaw was initially arrested Feb. 17 after Jonesboro police conducted a traffic stop on Church Street while investigating a suspected impaired driver.

According to the earlier affidavit, officers observed signs of impairment and attempted to detain Upshaw after she exited her vehicle and walked toward a nearby residence. During the encounter, officers heard children crying inside the home.

Police reported that Upshaw claimed an aunt was supervising the children, but a juvenile later opened the door and officers discovered three children, ranging in age from 9 months to 5 years old, allegedly left unattended inside the residence.

Officers also described the home as unsanitary, noting that one child was wearing a heavily soiled diaper and was covered in feces. Authorities said Upshaw fled on foot while still in handcuffs before being apprehended nearby.

She was originally arrested on charges including three counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, third-degree escape from custody, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and driving while intoxicated.

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