Gerardo Soto and Dezarae Soto, both 24, were charged with one count each of negligent child abuse. The two were arrested July 27 on unrelated charges.

Las Cruces Police detectives learned that the state’s Children’s, Youth and Families Department was conducting an investigation after receiving information that Gerardo and Dezarae Soto used the illegal drugs in the presence of their three children.

Drug tests performed on the children showed that the couple’s 4-month-old girl tested positive for meth, cocaine, amphetamine and benzoylecgonine. Drug tests performed on the couple’s two older children came back negative.

Detectives believe the couple used methamphetamine and cocaine in the presence of their children during the dates of April 27 and July 27, 2010.

The couple’s three children are now being cared for by relatives of the couple.

Gerardo Soto was being held at the Dona Ana County Detention Center on an outstanding warrant from another jurisdiction while Dezarae Soto was held without bond after she violated terms of her probation.