MORGAN CITY, La. (KLFY) -- A Morgan City man is charged with child cruelty in connection with an incident Thursday afternoon in which a child allegedly ingested drugs, authorities said.

Gilbert Christopher Howard, 54, of Morgan City, is charged with cruelty to a juvenile, improper supervision of a minor by parent or legal custodian, illegal use of drugs in presence of a person under 17, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer and disturbing the peace.

Morgan City Police responded to reports of a disturbance at approximately 3:30 p.m. Thursday at a motel in the area of La. 182. Officers said Howard was found to be in an impaired state while allegedly responsible for the care of a small child. Officers entered the room registered to Howard and were unable to locate the child inside the room.

Blood, vomit and feces were observed in the room which led officers to believe the child may have been injured. Howard was taken into custody and placed under arrest when he began to resist officers, authorities said.

Investigators said the child, along with their parent, was located at a local medical facility seeking treatment, and that the parent had left the child in the care of Howard. The parent later returned when they observed Howard placing his fingers in the child's mouth in what officials described as "an erratic manner." It was believed the child had ingested narcotics. A search of Howard's room uncovered corroborative evidence, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, police said.

Howard was incarcerated in the Morgan City Jail. Bond details were not released.

The investigation is still ongoing, and the Department of Children and Family Services has been notified, authorities said.   

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