Meth-exposure case ends with probation

SANDPOINT — A Sandpoint woman accused of exposing her child to methamphetamine through breastfeeding was released onto probation on Wednesday, 1st District Court records show.

Judge Barbara Buchanan ordered Samantha Lee Caroline Morikawa to serve two years of supervised probation and submit to drug testing twice a week, according to court documents.

Morikawa, 26, was charged with felony injury to a child for allegedly exposing her 5-month-old child to the addictive stimulant through her breast milk for a five-month period ending in January.

The charge was the byproduct of a felony domestic violence investigation in which Morikawa was charged with attempted strangulation and domestic violence in the presence of a child. The child’s father told Bonner County sheriff’s deputies he was attacked upon confronting Morikawa about messages on her phone regarding plans to acquire meth, court records indicate.

The attempted strangulation charge was dismissed in exchange for a plea to a reduced charge of aggravated assault, also a felony.

The felony child endangerment charge was reduced to attempted injury to a child, according to court documents.

The state argued for imprisonment when Morikawa was sentenced in May, noting that her drug use was sustained and the level of violence she was perpetrating was escalating.

The defense argued against a custodial sentence because Morikawa was in recovery and seeking treatment for underlying mental health issues.

Buchanan imposed concurrent two- to four-year terms, but retained jurisdiction over Morikawa, also known as a rider. When jurisdiction is retained, a defendant spends up to a year in prison and becomes eligible for release onto probation.

Morikawa, court records indicate, successfully completed the Idaho Department of Correction’s retained jurisdiction program, according to records from her rider review hearing on Wednesday.

Morikawa’s child is in the custody of the father, records indicate.