Police investigating a complaint of child neglect entered a rowhouse in Southeast Baltimore last night and discovered 210 flourishing marijuana plants.

A female resident of the house in the 2000 block of Bank St. in Upper Fells Point was arrested, and her 19-month-old daughter was turned over to the child's grandmother, police said.

Police were seeking the woman's live-in boyfriend.

Lt. George L. Klein Jr. of the Southeastern District said someone called police about 4: 15 p.m. and said a toddler was wandering the street shoeless.

Officer Kristine M. Weddle responded to the complaint, entered the house, smelled marijuana and called in the drug enforcement unit.

Klein said officers found 210 marijuana plants on the second and third floors and in the basement. The plants were kept healthy by fans and revolving heat lamps, and the walls were covered with aluminum foil to maintain a hothouse temperature, he said.

Klein said each of the plants could produce a pound of marijuana with a street-value of $1,500.

He said police also seized marijuana that had been packaged.

"I've seen marijuana growing operations before," Klein said, "but nothing like this."

He said Kimberly Gilliam, 22, of the Bank Street address was charged with child neglect, possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and was being held at the Central Booking and Intake Center pending a bail hearing.

Pub Date: 10/13/98