ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — A Salisbury mother is accused of forcing her 10-year-old daughter to hide drugs while deputies searched her car.
The Rowan County Sheriff's Office said Jamie Agee had nearly 100 oxycodone pills during Monday’s traffic stop.
Channel 9 reporter Ken Lemon learned that Agee has been on authorities' radar for months.
Agee has been sought by sheriff's investigators since last spring.
Police told Lemon that Agee's husband has been wanted for robbery for about a week.
Agee made her first court appearance Tuesday.
“It's enough to make you mad and want to act foolish, that's for sure,” said Billie Cribb, a friend of Agee's.
Rowan County sheriff's investigators stopped a car Monday on Julian Road when they spotted Agee inside.
She was wanted on charges of selling drugs to an undercover agent in April.
Arresting officers found 75 10-milligram oxycodone pills in a tube concealed on her body. They said she made her 10-year-old daughter hide 23 more pills and $587 in cash.
"Just about all of our officers have children or, in some cases, grandchildren, and they can certainly empathize with the child and take great care -- as much care as they can," said Rowan County sheriff’s Capt. John Sifford.
Granite Quarry police were at Agee's house on Tuesday to get clothes for the girl who is in the custody of Child Protective Services.
There were so many fleas in the house that police had to wear protective suits when they went inside, officials said.
Cribb was there when they opened the door.
"Filth, the stench, fleas, I mean it was like the plagues in there,” Cribb said. "Whereever she is, at Ieast I know it's going to be a lot better than where she was coming from."
He said the girl is a little shy, but loving.
Cribb said he has always had some concerns about her parents, but this really upsets him.
"Any type of respect or humanity I had (for her), I lost it. That's sad,” he said.
Neighbors said the girl has an uncle who used to live with them, but he is not able to raise a young girl.
They are concerned about whether the encounter has scarred her emotionally.
Agee is charged with trafficking opium (4-14 grams) by transportation and possession, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, misdemeanor child abuse and possession of drug paraphernalia.
She is also charged with selling or delivering schedule II oxymorphone and possession with intent to sell or deliver oxymorphone in connection with the April undercover operation.
Agee was convicted of larceny in January and was placed on probation for a year. She has a pending probation violation charge as well.
Agree's bail was set at $100,000.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- Conspiracy theorist and UFO expert found dead days after sending warning text message to mother
- Mother of Plaza Midwood murder victim: 'She never had an enemy'
- 'Price is Right' contestants make history with three-way tie
- Channel 9 obtains texts and emails from city officials discussing HB2
- NC school bus driver suspected of driving drunk with students on board