By GINNY COOPER / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO—A 36-year-old Montevallo woman was arrested and charged with chemical endangerment of a child on March 6.

According to court documents, Alicia Douglas McClain was arrested by police after allegedly “knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally” allowing the child to “ingest or inhale, or to have contact with” benzodiazepine and buprenorphine on or about Jan. 20.

Benzodiazepine is a psychoactive drug, which is in many prescription drugs such as Xanax and Valium. The FDA has categorized benzodiazepine as a category D drug, which means that potential for harm in the unborn has been demonstrated.  Buprenorphine is a prescription drug, which treats moderate to severe chronic pain. The FDA has categorized buprenorphine as a category C drug, which means that risk on the unborn cannot be ruled out during pregnancy.

It is alleged that at the time of the child’s birth the infant child and his mother tested positive for both drugs.

The infant child remains hospitalized at Shelby Medical Center, according to charging documents filed in the case.

McClain received no prenatal care during the pregnancy, but appeared at the emergency room on multiple occasions, according to documents. In addition, McClain has given birth on eight prior occasions, but is the custodial parent of no children, according to court documents.

McClain’s bond is currently set at $100,000.

McClain has been charged with a class C felony. If convicted, McClain could face between one and ten years in prison.