Rose Smith (Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office).
An Idaho woman is now facing a serious legal charge after giving birth to a child with a heart defect and non-functional eyes, authorities report.
Rose Smith, a 26-year-old from Idaho Falls, allegedly tested positive for methamphetamine following the birth and is accused of using the drug during her pregnancy.
According to court records accessed by East Idaho News, Smith was accompanied by a man at the August 2025 birth who confessed to police that he had been using meth before arriving at the hospital. Smith, however, denied any drug use.
The documents also reveal that hospital staff repeatedly reminded Smith and her companion to care for the newborn by feeding and changing them, tasks they reportedly neglected.
On August 31, authorities removed the child from Smith and the man, as per the court records. Shortly thereafter, police discovered that the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, along with an Idaho Falls police officer, had previously intervened to remove another child from Smith’s care.
Despite being ordered to undergo drug testing after the August birth, both Smith and the man failed to comply. Health officials revisiting Smith’s home on September 25 reported finding unsanitary conditions, including an offensive odor and scattered trash throughout the residence.
In addition to the living conditions, feces were also observed on parts of Smith and the man’s body, according to the court documents. Smith was interviewed again about the child she gave birth to, and she allegedly downplayed the child’s condition.
Police say a detective spoke to Smith again about her meth use and she eventually admitted to smoking the drug while she was pregnant. She was arrested this month and charged with felony injury to a child.
Smith bonded out of jail on March 23. The man who was with her during the birth has not been charged with any crimes.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled to take place for Smith on April 10.
