The Louisa County father accused of endangering his small children pleaded not guilty today to the two felony drug counts in a related case.

Derrick A. Christmas, 25, appeared in Louisa Circuit Court to face one count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, said Thomas A. Garrett Jr., the county's commonwealth's attorney.

Christmas and his girlfriend, Brenda D. Quarles, were each charged with two felony child-endangerment charges after their then 3-year-old and 16-month-old boys tested positive in April for cocaine and a prescription sedative.

The two are scheduled to appear in Louisa Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court to face the child-endangerment charges this month.

-- Calvin R. Trice