Asheville Reporter

A North Carolina state senator was critical of a Buncombe County director's testimony about an incident where allegedly a 9-year-old girl was sent to a hotel room with a stranger and meth. 

Buncombe County Health and Human Services Director Talmadge Blevins was required to appear before the state's Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services. 

His appearance stemmed from allegations about the Black Mountain Police Department allegedly being told to leave the 9-year-old with the stranger, meth and 150 used needles in a hotel room. 

"Today, we heard a lot of talking, but didn't hear a lot of answers," Sen. Chuck Edwards (R-Buncombe) said in a release. "The committee was clear. We were not looking for confidential information. We wanted to know the procedures and decision-making processes that nearly put a 9-year-old girl in a dangerous situation."

In his release, Edwards cited an Asheville Citizen Times report stating that the girl was "found in a car with three adults — including her father — on Interstate 40." A subsequent search allegedly revealed the drugs and possible drug paraphernalia. 

At the father's request, Black Mountain Police took the 9-year-old to the hotel room where the stranger was. The Citizens Times reported that police saw the needles and contacted the county's Department of Social Services for a social worker, which was denied and that police could leave the minor in the room. The girl was taken to the police station until a relative could be contacted and provide care. 

"We wanted to know the procedures and decision-making processes that nearly put a 9-year-old girl in a dangerous situation," Edwards said in his release. "Instead, we were stonewalled by Mr. Blevins, who hid behind claims of confidentiality. I wish Mr. Blevins had been more forthcoming with us today. The legislature will continue to do its job to seek answers to ensure that no child ever has to be put in this situation again."