MINDEN, Nev. " Less than five days after she was placed on probation for child neglect, a 28-year-old Indian Hills woman was back in Douglas County Jail for using methamphetamine.
Melissa Howell admitted in East Fork Justice Court on Wednesday that she used methamphetamine on Sunday, a day before she was set for a hearing regarding the custody of her three children, ages 5, 2 and 1.
Howell was arrested on Jan. 14 after deputies discovered her passed out in a bedroom at 2:30 p.m. and the children unsupervised.
Officers described the living conditions as deplorable.
Howell pleaded guilty Jan. 21 to contributory child neglect, a misdemeanor, and received a six-month suspended sentence.
Her children are in the custody of Child Protective Services.
Justice Jim EnEarl revoked her probation Wednesday and told Howell she could apply for an in-patient treatment program.
If she successfully completes the program, the time would be applied toward her jail sentence, he said.
Howell told the judge she "slipped up" Sunday night.
"I have a serious problem, obviously," she said in court.
Howell said she was grateful for the early intervention because she didn't want her children going in and out of her custody.
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