Jillian Hilda Nielsen, 26, Minot, received a deferred imposition of sentence for two years on March 4 for exposing her 3-month-old son to drugs and an unsafe living environment in October 2019.

Court records show that Judge Gary Lee also ordered her to follow through on all services required by Ward County Social Services and to pay $525 in court costs. If she successfully complies with all terms and conditions, the Class C felony child neglect charge will be dismissed.

Lee sentenced her to 360 days in jail, all suspended but the three days she has already served, and two years of supervised probation for a Class C felony possession of drug paraphernalia charge. Lee also ordered her to obtain a chemical dependency evaluation.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed with the court, Ward County Social Services called police for assistance in removing the baby from Nielsen’s custody last October. Nielsen’s residence was described as cluttered. She also had suspected meth in a zip lock bag on top of a dresser. Police also found used syringes, a green scale with suspected heroin residue and another scale with suspected meth residue and a pipe with suspected burnt marijuana residue. Nielsen admitted to using meth over the weekend and but said the paraphernalia belonged to people she had let stay over at the residence. She told police that the baby slept with her on her bed/futon. Nielsen also had a dog and puppies in a playpen in the kitchen. Social Services took custody of the baby. Nielsen’s mother took the adult dog and Animal Control was called to take the puppies. Nielsen had expressed a desire to go to treatment and to work towards getting her son back when she made an initial appearance in court last October.