Prosecutor: Mother smoked meth, crack while breastfeeding

TACOMA -- A 34-year-old Tacoma woman faces child endangerment charges for allegedly smoking meth, crack and weed while breastfeeding her baby.

Iuni Moana Malo went to a Tacoma hospital this summer with her 2-year-old daughter, claiming her child had been sexually abused by a man she was staying with, the Pierce County Prosecutor's Office said.

According to charging documents, doctors noticed Malo was "extremely high" while at the hospital and called police.

The 2-year-old girl was examined by a doctor, who did not find any evident signs of sexual abuse. However, police interviewed Malo who appeared extremely jittery and talking rapidly.

According to the Pierce County prosecutor,  Malo told police she and her daughter were staying with a man she met named "Red." On July 22, Red opened the door for her with no pants on, leading Malo to believe he had molested her daughter, who was alone in the house with Red.

But rather than go to police, Malo allegedly said she walked into Red's bathroom and smoked crack with him.

A short time later she breastfed her daughter, Malo allegedly told police.

The next morning, Malo allegedly woke up and smoked meth and crack with Red. She then decided to take her child to the hospital, both because she wanted the baby to get a sexual assault exam and because she feared Red gave her bad drugs, Malo told police. Before leaving for the hospital Malo smoked a "blunt" of marijuana, she allegedly told police.

Malo again breastfed her baby while on the bus to the hospital, charging documents state. Malo's urine tested positive for multiple drugs, charging documents show.

Malo's child was placed into protective custody this summer and Malo was detained. She recently pleaded not guilty to the charge of child endangerment, the Tacoma News Tribune reported, and is being held in Pierce County Jail in lieu of a $25,000 bond.

According to the  News Tribune, Malo has eight children -- many being cared for by other family members.