Northfield Woman Arrested After Allegedly Smoking Meth While Toddler Slept in Bathtub

A Northfield woman was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly letting her 14-month-old child sleep in an empty bathtub in a Faribault apartment while she smoked methamphetamine in the next room.

Amanda Rae Hejl, 23, agreed to speak to authorities after Rice County social workers and Faribault police were tipped off by a person who removed the child from the residence after finding it to be "filthy" and "full of meth smoke." 

The tipster reportedly took the toddler home with her, but not before snapping pictures of the child sleeping in the bathtub to give to authorities.  

According to a criminal complaint filed with Rice County District Court on Jan. 18:

During a phone conversation with a Faribault detective on Wednesday, Hejl said she knew social services had taken her baby but did not know why.

Hejl claimed to be at the social services office trying to get the child back but agreed to meet with authorities to discuss the matter. 

During the discussion Hejl admitted to smoking methamphetamine after putting the toddler in the bathtub to sleep around 9 p.m. She also told authorities she later left the residence to go to Medford, entrusting a friend to watch the child while she was gone.  

The complaint states Hejl admitted to putting a blanket in the tub for the child to sleep on but took no precautions to ensure the child could not turn on the water in the tub.  

Hejl reportedly admitted to smoking methamphetamines in the presence of the child in the past. 

Hejl is charged with child neglect, child endangerment and allowing a child to ingest, inhale or be exposed to methamphetamine. 

The latter charge carries with it a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.