A St. Joseph mother is being charged after her 7-month-old daughter contracted Whooping cough.

30-year-old Melinda Nigh was charged Friday in Buchanan County with a misdemeanor for endangering the welfare of a child.

According to court documents on Oct. 8 Nigh refused to meet with a Missouri Department of Social Services worker Nicole Rudisill in reference to the placement of her daughter.

“Nigh delayed taking (her daughter) to the doctor for her immunizations and has now contracted Whooping cough for which Nigh is not seeking treatment,” said Officer Eric Powell with the St. Joseph Police Department.

He said Nigh did eventually seek medical attention for her daughter.

“The defendant delayed medical treatment of her child and did not finish the treatment once it was prescribed,” Powell said.

Powell said that an order for protective custody for the child’s well being was signed by a Judge on Oct. 8 but that Nigh refused to meet with the social services worker and refused to take a drug test.

“The defendant is believed to be abusing dangerous drugs while her daughter is present,” Powell said. “The defendant refused to cooperate with Rudisill and refused to cooperate with police when they attempted to make contact.”

Nigh is being held on $5,000 bond. A trial setting is scheduled for Oct. 27.