OKC Police: Meth-Smoking Mom Delays Abused Child's Medical Care

Michael Konopasek, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Two women have been arrested for their parts in allegedly obtaining meth by trading a toddler for sex with two men.

Jennifer Ragland, also known as Jennifer Chapman, was arrested Thursday by Oklahoma City police and is being accused of allowing two men to rape a three-year-old boy in exchange for drugs.

Leana Lauck, the boy's mother, was arrested a day earlier on child neglect charges. Police say her 3-year-old son was severely abused at the LaQuinta Inn near South Meridian and Interstate 40.

Related Story: 6/22/11 Mother of Severely Abused Toddler Arrested

The probable cause affidavit for Lauck's arrest claims she knew her son was injured but decided to spend the night at this hotel smoking meth and waited nearly a day before bringing the toddler to the hospital.

Police collected evidence from the LaQuinta Inn after the toddler was taken to Children's Hospital.

Police said the child had numerous bruises and an injury on the base of his skull.

A family member said the boy had lye burns on his throat, face and eyes, signs of sexual abuse, bleach poisoning, and at one point, was hanging from a ceiling with a dog collar.

"To have somebody commit such an act of violence on an innocent child is horrific for anybody to see," said Oklahoma City Police Department Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow.

Police are still looking for one or more abusers.

Court documents released on Thursday claim Lauck did not take her son to the hospital initially because she was afraid of what would happen. And, she knew her son was "hurt bad" and declining through the evening. Instead of seeking care for the boy, police said, she admitted to smoking meth.

A distant cousin of Lauck spoke out about Lauck as her family hopes and prays for the child's full recovery.

"I think jail would be too good for them," said family member Stacy Felkins."That's the most evil thing you can do."