LOUISA -- The Louisa County man whose toddlers tested positive for cocaine last month informed a judge presiding over his case that he has hired an attorney.

Derrick A. Christmas, 25, who lives in the Zion Crossroads area, will be represented by local attorney John R. "Jack" Maus when he appears for a bond hearing in Louisa General District Court next week.

Christmas and Brenda D. Quarles, 26, each face two counts of child endangerment after the couple's 3-year-old and 16-month-old boys were found to have cocaine in their systems. Christmas also faces felony drug possession charges.

Prosecutors say Christmas tested positive for illegal drugs the week after his arrest. They have asked to have his bond revoked.

Christmas and Quarles have preliminary hearings on the child-endangerment charges scheduled for July. The couple did not live together; the children lived with their mother west of Louisa.

-- Calvin R. Trice