MOBILE, Ala. — A 34-year-old woman, Raven Jones, was arrested in Mobile, Alabama, on Thursday, July 10, 2025, after allegedly abandoning her newborn at a local hospital where the infant tested positive for drugs. The newborn is exhibiting signs of neonatal abstinence syndrome, a condition caused by prenatal exposure to certain substances, and is receiving medical treatment. Jones faces charges of child abandonment and chemical endangerment of a child, a felony under Alabama law, and is currently held without bond at Mobile Metro Jail.
The incident began on Saturday, July 5, 2025, when hospital staff reported that Jones left the facility after giving birth without completing necessary discharge paperwork. Routine medical screenings revealed the presence of illegal substances, including cocaine and opioids, in the newborn’s system, prompting immediate treatment for withdrawal symptoms. According to Mobile County Chief Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Susman, the infant’s condition is serious but stable, and child welfare officials have assumed custody to ensure ongoing care.
Alabama’s Safe Haven Law allows parents to surrender unharmed newborns up to 72 hours old at designated locations, such as hospital emergency departments, without legal repercussions. However, this protection does not apply if the child is deemed harmed. Prosecutors argue that the newborn’s drug exposure constitutes harm, disqualifying Jones from Safe Haven immunity. Susman emphasized that substances like heroin, cocaine, and non-prescribed opioids in a newborn’s bloodstream trigger chemical endangerment charges under Alabama law.
This is not Jones’ first encounter with such allegations. In 2022, she gave birth to another child who also tested positive for cocaine and opioids, according to court records. This prior incident has led authorities to describe her actions as part of a troubling pattern. Additionally, Jones faces a pending grand jury indictment on a separate chemical endangerment charge and has outstanding warrants for other unspecified offenses, further complicating her legal situation.
Alabama’s chemical endangerment law, enacted in 2006 to address methamphetamine lab hazards, has been broadly applied to prosecute pregnant women whose fetuses are exposed to controlled substances. The law imposes penalties ranging from 1 to 10 years in prison for exposure without harm, 2 to 20 years if the child is harmed, and 10 to 99 years or life if the child dies. In Jones’ case, the charges reflect the perceived harm to the newborn, who is undergoing treatment for withdrawal symptoms.
The case has reignited discussions about prenatal drug use and the application of Alabama’s chemical endangerment statute. Critics argue the law, originally intended to protect children from dangerous drug environments, unfairly targets pregnant women and may deter them from seeking prenatal care or addiction treatment. Advocates for public health stress the need for expanded addiction support services to address the root causes of such cases and prevent future incidents. Meanwhile, authorities underscore their commitment to child welfare, with Susman stating, “All children are precious, and we do everything we can to protect them.”
No court date has been set for Jones, and it remains unclear whether she has obtained legal representation. The investigation is ongoing, with the possibility of additional charges depending on the newborn’s long-term health outcomes. Both of Jones’ children are reported to be safe and under the care of child welfare services as the legal process unfolds.
