Journal-News.com

FRANKLIN — A woman was "shooting up" in a car Monday afternoon while her two young sons were sitting in the back seat, according to Franklin police.

Amy Marie Hoff, 26 of 924 Forrest Ave., injected what police believe was heroin into her arm about 2:19 p.m. Monday while sitting in a black 1992 Thunderbird with her two sons, ages 2 months and 15 months, in the back seat, according to police reports.

A man, who refused to give his name, alerted police to Hoff and said he saw her parked next to a Dumpster on Valley Forge Court in the Franklin Commons apartment complex injecting drugs, reports said.

Police searched the car and found a syringe, spoon, coffee cup and capsule containing white powder, reports stated.

The two children were released to Hoff's father, Tim Hoff, who lives in the apartment complex, said Franklin police Lt. Gerry Massey.

"He was pretty distraught over it," Massey said.

Warren County Children Services was contacted about the incident Friday. Representatives from the agency did not return calls requesting comment.

Hoff was taken to the police department Monday, interviewed and then released.

Police charged her Friday with child endangering, driving under the influence, no operator's license, possession of drug abuse instruments and possession of drug paraphernalia, said Chief Gordon Ellis.

Charges of drug abuse are pending the result of a lab test on the white powder found in her car, according to police.

Hoff is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Franklin Municipal Court.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2845 or cmagan@coxohio.com.