A Salt Lake City woman claims she gave her 9-month-old daughter to a suspected drug dealer whose last name she didn't know because she was homeless, addicted to meth and unable to care for the child, authorities said.

Salt Lake County sheriff's deputies found the child Monday morning while searching a home near 300 North and 800 West as part of a drug investigation, said Lt. Don Hutson. A 38-year-old woman, now arrested on suspicion of distributing methamphetamine, said she had been caring for the child for a week, Hutson said.

She claimed the mother had given the child to her because the mother believed the girl would "be better off," Hutson said. Investigators located the mother, 23, who allegedly made a similar statement. The suspected dealer had a document, signed by the mother, transferring guardianship of the child, Hutson said.

"The way they knew each other was the meth trade," Hutson said. "They only knew each other by first names."

The woman also was carrying the child's Medicaid card, Hutson said.

The child was taken into state custody when the woman was arrested Monday, Hutson said. The mother, who claims she did not offer the child as part of a drug transaction, is not being investigated for charges, Hutson said.