Thursday's Internet Edition, September 02, 2010.

Police said the alleged abuse of the contents of an aerosol spray can, a practice known as “huffing,” occurred while the woman’s daughter and niece were waiting in a nearby vehicle.

Betsy McClain, 38, of 2273 Speed Rd. is charged with child neglect, a felony, and misdemeanor charges of inhaling an intoxicating compound and obstructing an officer.

The alleged incident occurred July 24 when McClain and others not identified in the complaint filed by Spencer Patrolman Nathan Harper purchased three cans of compressed air at Fruth Pharmacy.

Store employees said the shoppers were acting suspicious, so the employees watched as the shoppers took the cans to a gold Oldsmobile in the store parking lot and appeared to be inhaling the contents and passing a can around.

When Harper arrived and began asking questions, McClain allegedly said the cans were purchased to clean a CD player.

McClain showed police two cans that had not been used. Harper found the other can and said it felt cold, almost to the point of freezing, an indication it had been used.

Harper said McClain’s daughter and niece, ages 16 and 10, were left inside McClain’s Hummer sport utility vehicle during the time the others were inside the store and in the other vehicle passing the spray can around. Harper said the vehicle with the two minors was not running and outside temperatures were over 90°.

McClain was arraigned by Roane Magistrate Jason Bennett and released on $55,000 bond while awaiting a preliminary hearing.