Two local women were arrested recently in cases where police say there were elements of child neglect or a lack of child safety.

• Kathy Denise Merritt, 41, of Accoville, was arrested in Logan County by Deputies Jason Mathis and Burley Ferrell of the Logan County Sheriff's Department for child neglect and possession of a controlled substance on June 10. According to police reports the deputies were called to assist Child Protective Services at a call in Accoville, when a CPS worker told them that she had received a call about "some reported drug activity and usage going on in the defendant's residence."

"The defendant stated that she had smoked some marijuana and that was about all she had used ," the report states. "The defendant then removed a clear plastic bag out of a sock on her dresser containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana and then removed another clear plastic bag out of her purse containing a metal pipe and a Hydrocodone bottle labeled to the defendant. The bottle contained another clear plastic bag containing a white, rock-like substance believed to be crack cocaine. Also there were numerous prescription bottles on the computer desk, one of the bottles labeled Suboxone 8 mg, containing one of her children's medication, Ritalin; nine Adderol and four Suboxone tablets. The defendant’s children were home at the time and ordered by CPS...to be placed into custody of the grand-parents at that time.

She was booked at the Southwestern Regional Jail at Holden at 5:23 p.m. A magistrate ruled that no probable cause was found on the child neglect charge later.

• Raella Jean Caldwell, 37, of Man, was arrested in Logan County by Sgt. Dave Walls and Patrolman A.P. Williams of the Man Police Department for DUI with a minor, driving revoked and driving left of center and not using child passenger safety devices on June 3. According to police reports Sgt. Walls was on patrol when he heard a BOLO (Be On Lookout) alert on a tan Van with Ohio tags as being driven by possibly impaired driver.

"The accused crossed the center line several times and had two juveniles that were unrestrained and moving about in the vehicle," the report states. " ...After looking inside the vehicle, no child restraints were found. The accused was asked if she was under the influence of any controlled substances or medications and she stated that she was not."

Caldwell reportedly failed two field sobriety tests and her driver’s license was found to have been revoked.

"After placing the accused under arrest, the accused stated that she is prescribed Xanax and had smoked marijuana about two weeks ago," the report adds.

She was booked at the regional jail at 9:29 p.m.