Monday, January 30, 2012
Child Endangerment Charges Issued After Man Forces His Way Into Home
A Lawrenceburg man garnered child endangerment charges during the weekend after he allegedly forced his way inside a Leoma home.
Mark Allen Whitt, age 36, faces numerous charges in connection with the Sunday evening incident.
Reports filed through the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department show that deputies were dispatched to the Prokesh Road home shortly after 9:00 p.m.
The female resident told deputies that Whitt had come to the home after having already been told not to do so. She said that when she refused to let him inside he kicked the door open, nearly striking a small child. Two children, ages 4 and 5, were inside the home at the time, as was a twenty-nine-year-old male.
The female resident told deputies that before leaving, Whitt stole two bottles of prescription medications, containing Lortab and Xanax pills. Whitt left prior to the arrival of deputies.
Deputies conducted a traffic stop shortly afterwards on the vehicle in which Whitt was a passenger. The other two occupants, ages 15 and 17, told deputies they had given Whitt a ride in exchange for gas money, but said they had no idea he intended to kick in the door.
The teens were later released into the custody of a relative. Reports show that juvenile petitions will be sought against one of the teens for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Whitt was taken into custody and transported to the Lawrence County Detention Center. He was booked on charges that include: aggravated burglary, aggravated child endangerment, two counts of reckless endangerment, aggravated criminal trespassing, theft, vandalism, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Whitt will answer the charges in Lawrence County General Sessions Court on March 20, 2012.
