CHILD’S ILLNESS LEADS OFFICERS TO METH LAB IN HER HOME

Kalamazoo, MI:  On April 3, 2008, at approximately 1:30 p.m., Children’s Protective Services (CPS) called the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET) and reported that a 4-year-old girl had been admitted to Bronson Hospital two days ago for breathing difficulties.  A family member told CPS that she believed the child’s breathing difficulties were caused by her exposure to methamphetamine at her home in the 1000 block of Chicago Avenue in Kalamazoo Township.   

KVET investigators went to the home and received no answer at the door.  Meth lab components, such as rubber tubing and plastic bottles with unknown liquids could be seen in the yard outside the residence.   While KVET investigators were on scene, the child’s grandparents and 7-year-old brother arrived.  The grandparents live at the house with their 25-year-old daughter and her two children ages 4 and 7.   The grandparents suspected that their daughter’s 27-year-old boyfriend had been cooking methamphetamine in the house.   Officers received consent to go inside and immediately smelled a very strong odor of ammonia throughout the residence.  The 25-year-old daughter was found in the front bedroom along with an active meth lab.  Apparently, her boyfriend had fled the scene just prior to our arrival. 

The female was removed from the home and officers put on protective equipment to process the lab.  A private contractor was called to the scene to remove the hazardous waste.  Some of the children’s toys, including a toy fishing pole, tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine residue.  The Kalamazoo County Health Department was also notified and will conduct further testing at the property. 

CPS also responded to the scene to investigate.  The 7-year-old boy was released to his father and was taken to Bronson Hospital for examination. The 4-year-old girl’s condition is improving, but she remains in the hospital. 

The 27-year-old boyfriend is currently out of jail on bond for a prior methamphetamine charge.  Charges for Manufacturing Methamphetamine will be submitted to the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office for review.   

Anyone with information regarding illegal drug activity is urged to contact KVET at 269-337-8880, Silent Observer at 269-343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com