Two Kentucky women are behind bars after police reportedly found a baby covered in ants and breathing heavy during what was initially a routine traffic stop.

According to a press release by the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, Rebecca Jean Fultz, 32, and Charolette Simpson, 69, were arrested after authorities pulled them over on August 15 at around 7:30 p.m., off of Old Richmond Road. Police signaled for a Chrysler Town & Country van to pull over for a traffic violation, but the driver didn’t immediately stop.

The driver drove around a quarter of a mile and turned into the driveway of a residential home. Officers approached the vehicle and after checking the identification of two women inside the van, learned that both women had outstanding traffic violation warrants. After detaining the women, the officers noticed a baby on the floorboard of the van, unrestrained between the two front seats. The van had no air conditioning.

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The child had labored breathing and was covered in ants and wearing a soiled diaper. Officers said they didn’t immediately see the baby since the suspects didn’t have the infant properly restrained in a car seat. In addition to trash and debris all over the van, the officers found an unsecured flat-screen television that could have easily hit the baby while the women were driving.

Police dispatched Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County to check on the infant, who was ultimately taken to St. Joseph Hospital for a medical checkup. The infant was treated for dehydration.

Fultz, the baby’s mother, was arrested and charged with criminal abuse, resisting arrest, and menacing. Simpson, the baby’s grandmother, was arrested and charged with criminal abuse, as well as numerous driving and traffic violations.

Open release from the hospital, the baby will be placed with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

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[Feature Photo: Pixabay]