Eagan Dad Charged After 3-Year-Old Son Tests Positive for Drugs

EAGAN (AP) - An Eagan man has been charged with child endangerment after his 3-year-old son tested positive for drugs last Christmas Eve.

According to court documents, 49-year-old Steven Meierding took his son to a hospital Dec. 24 after the child showed signs of a fever, respiratory distress and an altered mental state.

The complaint says a urine sample from the child tested positive for amphetamines and methamphetamines.

Authorities say Meierding said he picked his son up Dec. 20 after using meth on the preceding two days. But authorities say an investigation showed the drug activity likely took place anywhere from a half-hour to two hours before the boy started showing symptoms on Christmas Eve.

Meierding is scheduled to make his first court appearance Nov. 16.