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Butte County Mom Who Delivered Baby In Forest Loses Custody After Admitted Meth Use

PARADISE, Calif. (AP) - A pregnant woman who became lost and gave birth in a Northern California national forest says she took methamphetamine to get an energy boost after delivering her daughter.

Amber Pangborn told the Chico Enterprise-Record her baby is healthy but Butte County Child Protective Services placed her in foster care. Pangborn is trying to regain custody.

The 35-year-old Pangborn said staff at the hospital where she was treated notified social workers because of the nature of the birth. Pangborn delivered in the backseat of her broken-down car in Plumas National Forest in June.

Pangborn said she became lost traveling between casinos.

Child Protective Services officials declined to discuss Pangborn's case.

Prior to her daughter's birth Pangborn said she voluntarily gave up parental rights to three older girls after her husband committed suicide.

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