Two Mandan women have been charged with child abuse in separate incidents.

Natalie Hamilton, 41, was charged with Class Bfelony child abuse or neglect last week and made her first court appearance Monday.

South Central District Judge Robert Wefald allowed her to be released to an agent of Teen Challenge.

According to an affidavit from Mandan Police Officer Tonya Grabinger, Hamilton's 10-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son went to a neighbor's home the evening of Sept. 26. The children of the neighbor asked if the other children could stay, and the neighbor said they needed permission, the affidavit said.

The girl and boy returned and said their mother was passed out on the couch and had locked them out of the house, the affidavit said.

The children told Grabinger their mother had been drinking vodka and she often gets drunk for a week at a time.

"They stated that she passes out on the couch and doesn't wake up for anything," Grabinger wrote.

The children said their mother cooks for them when she is sober, but otherwise they fend for themselves, the affidavit said. The girl had a burn on her fingers from making chicken.

Hamilton was taken to a hospital for intoxication.

Karen Lea Daly was charged Monday with Class C felony child abuse or neglect for allegedly having methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia around her 15-year-old son.

Wefald allowed her to remain free on her promise to appear.

According to an affidavit from Mandan Police Detective Jon Vanderhoef, police received information that Daly may be using methamphetamine. Her son told Vanderhoef he had seen her use the drug and had seen paraphernalia in the home, the affidavit said.

A baggie with white powder and syringes were taken from the home, according to court documents.

(Reach reporter Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael@;bismarcktribune.com.)