Drugs found inside home with children

According to reports filed through the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department, a deputy had made his way to a home on Fourth Street Friday to serve a violation of probation warrant on resident Christopher South, age 42.

When South let them inside of the home, they indicate that there were a meth pipe and a plastic baggie containing a white crystal substance lying in plain view on the arm of the couch.

The officer went to retrieve the items and noticed a black pouch lying beside them. Inside of the pouch was a set of digital scales along with twelve small plastic baggies of a white crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine. He then requested that additional units be dispatched to the home.

Deputies obtained consent to conduct a search of the premises. During the search they found syringes, a meth pipe, and various other items of drug paraphernalia.

Deputies report that at the time the arrest was made, there were a woman and two children, ages 14 and 1, inside of the home. The woman told deputies that "she didn't know there was drug activity occurring in the residence." Deputies reported that there was a total of 16.18 grams of meth seized.

South was placed under arrest on charges of possession of Schedule II narcotics for the purpose of resale, possession of drug paraphernalia, and two counts of child abuse. The matter was referred for investigation through the Department of Children's Services.