Cocaine Found Within Child's Reach During Stafford Traffic Stop: Police

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — Deputies said they found cocaine near children during a recent traffic stop in Stafford County.

No injuries were reported, according to the Stafford County Sheriff's Office. Authorities noted that there were three children in the vehicle during the traffic stop. "A responsible party" took custody of the children, the police report said.

The driver, 26-year-old Makayla Coffman of Fredericksburg, was arrested. She is charged with three counts of felony child neglect, possession of controlled substances, and driving while suspended.

Coffman was held on a $1,500 bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

If convicted of all charges, Coffman could face up to 20 years in prison, based on Virginia's sentencing guidelines.

Around 1 p.m. on Thursday, a Stafford County deputy pulled Coffman over on Village Parkway. The deputy learned that Coffman was the registered owner of the vehicle, but her license was suspended.

"During their conversation, Deputy Martinez informed Coffman his K-9 partner, Mija, was trained in detecting narcotics," the sheriff's office wrote in a report. "When asked if Mija would detect anything out of the ordinary, Coffman advised there was 'cocaine' not only on her person, but within the vehicle."

Another deputy arrived to detain Coffman and help search the vehicle.

"During the search, multiple suspected controlled substances and paraphernalia were located all throughout the vehicle," the sheriff's office said. "Some were located within a pile of children’s clothing, some were located within arm’s reach of the children."

Coffman was arrested after the search, authorities said.