A recent drug bust had led to child abuse charges for one Tipton County couple.
Tipton County Sheriff Shannon Beasley said when investigators and the SWAT team executed a search warrant at a home on Old Memphis Road last week, they not only found drugs and $30,000 in cash, they also found four children in conditions they called “filthy.”
The children, aged 13 and under, were not only living in a home where drug transactions were taking place but were also sleeping on beds covered with dog feces. The house did not have running water and was infested with roaches and rodents. They reported the situation to the Department of Children’s Services.
TCSO charged 27-year-old Adam Stark with Possession of Schedule IV drug with Intent to Sell / Manufacture / Deliver and Possession of Schedule VI (2.5 lbs. marijuana) with Intent to Sell / Manufacture / Deliver last week.
They returned Thursday and charged him and 36-year-old Jamie May with four counts of child abuse/neglect.
“I am proud of the hard work and dedication of our narcotics investigators in their due diligence to ensure that once again drugs were removed from the streets of Tipton County however, this case is sad and utterly disgusting,” said Beasley. “The possession of the drugs is secondary to the way Mr. Stark and Ms. May are making these children live. It’s bad enough to be selling and/or storing illegal drugs in your residence but they are making these kids live in dog feces and with no bathroom for the children. The possession of the drugs is just the “icing on the cake” that makes this case even worse. We are thankful for the Department of Children Services (DCS) for their response and assistance in getting these children the proper care they need and deserve.”
May is free on a $10,000 bond and Stark is currently in jail under a $55,000 bond. Both subjects are scheduled to be in general sessions court on Aug. 16.
Author: Echo Day
Echo Day is an award-winning journalist, photographer and designer. She is currently The Leader's managing editor.
