Woman Arrested on Drug Charges After Abandoning 4-Month-Old That Isn't Hers at Walmart

Melissa Smith, 37, was arrested Friday on various drug-related and other charges after she was reportedly seen in a Northport, Alabama, Walmart with an infant that wasn't hers in a shopping cart Thursday night, and the baby was later found abandoned, according to the Associated Press.

Police later announced the arrest of the baby's mother, Bethany Joy Boothe, 37, for an outstanding warrant for an unrelated traffic offense.

Smith was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a controlled substance, according to WSFA News. Both women will face additional charges related to the abandonment of the infant, Northport Assistant Police Chief Keith Carpenter said Friday.

The 4-month-old girl was found in the jewelry section of the store and police were called around 8:30 p.m. Thursday night, the AP reported.

Police also said the two women were allegedly acquaintances, and it's unclear why Smith had the child with her in the Walmart, or where Boothe was at the time.

"We don't believe it was an abduction but we don't know the whole story yet," Carpenter said.

Police arrived and found Walmart's employees caring for the child and said she appeared healthy and was taken to a local hospital before being placed in the custody of the state's Department of Human Resources.

Police said Smith was identified as the woman previously with the infant from a purse found in the cart, along with security footage and witness statements, according to AL.com and WIAT News.

Carpenter said the incident is "sad and tragic," and the state will do everything it can to ensure the child is given a safe, stable environment going forward.

For more reporting from the Associated Press, see below.

Smith was jailed with bail set at $17,500, a police statement said.

Court records weren't available to show whether Smith or Boothe had an attorney who could speak on their behalf.