LAKE HAVASU CITY – A Lake Havasu City woman has been released from custody after pleading guilty to the abuse of her children. Michaela Meuchel, 25, exited the Mohave County Adult Detention Center Wednesday, April 10.

Freedom was a key term of the plea deal convicting her of two counts of child abuse involving her three and five-year-old kids. Two endangerment charges are dismissed.

Deputy Mohave County Attorney Matthew Houston told Judge Doug Camacho that authorities removed the children in Jan. due to filthy conditions at Meuchel’s home in the 3100 block of Applewood Dr. He said subsequent hair follicle testing revealed that a five-year-old was exposed to methamphetamine and a three-year-old was exposed to meth, cocaine and marijuana.

Public Defender Jon Gillenwater the children’s drug exposure was accidental and unintentional negligence.

Meuchel will be placed on probation during a May 15 sentencing hearing.

Dave Hawkins