Two arrested for letting 13-year-old smoke pot

By Brian Smith
Register News Writer

BEREA July 08, 2009 11:00 am

— Two women were arrested at a Brown Street apartment after police responded to Saint Joseph—Berea hospital to a report of a 13-year-old girl having a reaction to marijuana.
Berea Police Department spokesman Capt. Ken Clark said the girl told investigators she had smoked the drug at the apartment, and police responded to the apartment where they took Linda Carpenter, 37, and Melissa Rawlings, 34, into custody.
Carpenter was charged with unlawful transaction with a minor and four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, while Rawlings was charged with two counts of unlawful transaction with a minor, endangering the welfare of a minor, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Clark said that Carpenter allegedly allowed the 13-year-old to smoke marijuana, and admitted to using marijuana, Klonopin, Tylenol III and other drugs while she was in a caretaker role for her children and others.
Rawlings was charged for allegedly allowing two children to use marijuana and pills while in her care, Clark said, as well as failing to protect the children and possessing marijuana, rolling papers and a pipe used for smoking the drug.

Hotel thefts
Police are investigating a pair of thefts from a local hotel and suspect an employee may have been involved.
According to Clark, officers responded to two theft reports June 27, one at 10:55 a.m. and one at 4:44 p.m.
In the first theft, two diamond rings valued at $1,300 were reported stolen from a room at the hotel, while a camera and a ring valued at $3,500 were reported stolen in the second theft.
Clark said investigators have identified a maid at the hotel as a suspect, but have not been able to locate her yet. He declined to identify the suspect by name, citing ongoing investigations.

Other crimes
• A Richmond man was arrested Friday for criminal possession of a forged prescription.
Donald A. Fitzpatrick, 36, was arrested at Walgreens and additionally served with a warrant for misdemeanor theft by unlawful taking, third-degree criminal mischief and violation of an emergency protective order.
• About $900 in jewelry and money were reported stolen June 25 following a burglary at a home in the 400 block of Boone Street.
• A circular saw valued at $150 was reported stolen June 29 from an unlocked vehicle in the 300 block of S. Powell Street.
• A parked vehicle sustained a broken window June 29 in a parking lot at 1 Pirate Parkway, causing $50 in damage.
• Robert E. Sparks, 44, of the 100 block of Rockcastle Street, was arrested June 30 on a Madison County warrant for failure to pay child support.
• About $780 in items were reported stolen Thursday from an unlocked car parked in the 100 block of Prince Royal Drive.
• The registration sticker was removed from the license plate of a parked car Thursday night in the 100 block of Phillips Street.
• Adam L. Anglin, 21, of the 100 block of Rockcastle Street, was arrested Friday on a Madison County warrant for receiving stolen property.
• John L. Allen, 42, of Paint Lick, was arrested Friday night for driving under the influence, first offense, on Big Hill Road.
• Samantha L. Clem, 31, of the 200 block of Herndon Street, was arrested Monday on a Clark County warrant for non-payment of fines.
• Dustin L. Allen, 29, of the 300 block of Burchwood Drive, was arrested Monday night for driving under the influence, second offense, failure to wear seat belts and driving on a suspended license on Boone Street.
Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call the Berea Police Department at 986-8456.

Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.