Shocking footage shows mother injecting heroin in alley watched by four-year-old son

A mother has been arrested after video emerged of her allegedly taking heroin in front of her four-year-old son.

Lauren Story, 29, appeared in court accused of child endangerment, possessing drug paraphernalia and drug abuse instruments after footage showed her appearing to shoot up in an alleyway near a court house in Cincinnati.

Story is shown to hand the young boy a phone to play with before allegedly injecting heroin along with another male.

John Donaldson, of neighbourhood watch scheme Grant Park Block Watch, filmed the incident which occurred in broad daylight.

He told WKRC: "I saw the little boy sitting there against the wall really behaving himself while the two were preparing to shoot up.

"I think the people [who live here] are solid people. The people that are the problem are the people that come down here and sell their dope and the people that come down here and buy their dope."

The video ends with Story getting up and walking out of the alley, telling the boy to follow behind.

She was arrested at a bus stop after an officer at the Hamilton County Courthouse recognised her. Police said they found four syringes in her purse during the arrest. The officer said the boy appeared dirty and hungry, but was otherwise in good health.

Story denied the charges against her after appearing at Hamilton County Municipal Court. According to court documents, Story has previously been charged with other offences including drink driving.

Her sister, Morgan story, told WCPO: "I just want her to get help and realize she is better than that, because everybody is better than that and there is help."