(Michigan City, IN) - Charges have been filed against a Michigan City woman accused of having drugs and malnourished dogs inside her home after police responded about a photo of a child with a gun.

 

Michigan City Police said they went to the home of 33 year old Erica Cooper after learning Monday about a photo of a child posing with a handgun posted on social media. A search of the Kentucky St. home allegedly turned up 37 grams of cocaine, several firearms and three emaciated dogs in cages with no food or water. According to authorities, Cooper denied the cocaine and most of the guns recovered from the residence belonged to her.

 

She could face anywhere from a 10 to 30 year sentence on the most serious count of Level 2 felony dealing in a schedule I,II III controlled substance. Other charges filed against her include neglect of a dependent for allegedly leaving her children home alone while on a trip to Indianapolis.

 

Her son, who posed with the gun, told police he did so to protect himself because there was no adult in the home when he was being threatened by individuals, court documents revealed.

 

Among the other charges are unlawful possession of a firearm for having a prior felony condition and possession of a stolen firearm related to a shotgun in her home reported stolen from Virginia.