Waveland couple arrested on child abuse charges involving meth use

WAVELAND -- Police arrested a couple Wednesday on child abuse charges, alleging the couple was using methamphatamine in the presence of their 5-year-old boy.

Jessica Hammond, 29, and her husband, Erik Hammond, 33, each face a count of felony child abuse. Erik Hammond faces an additional charge of misdemeanor child abuse.

Police Chief Dave Allen said the arrests resulted from a joint-investigation by Waveland police and the Mississippi Department of Human Services into allegations of physical abuse of the couple's child and use of drugs in the home.

The child tested positive for methamphetamine following a court-ordered drug analysis, Allen said.

Jessica Hammond was released from the Hancock County jail on $80,000 bond set by Waveland Municipal Court Judge P.J. Mauffray.

Erik Hammond's bond was set at $105,000, but he remains in jail on a probation hold by the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

The case remains under investigation.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Waveland police Investigator Chris Ory at 467-3669 or leave an anonymous tip with Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers by calling (877) 787-5898 or texting the word "CSTIPS" along with the tip to 274637 (CRIMES).

This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 6:14 PM with the headline "Waveland couple arrested on child abuse charges involving meth use ."