Thirteen people have been arrested in a meth lab raid at this home in Marion County.Thirteen adults were arrested at a house being used as a meth lab Thursday at 606 Fifth St. in South Pittsburg, Tenn.
The adults are being charged with methamphetamine related violations and aggravated child neglect, according to a release from the Marion County Sheriff’s Department. In addition to finding chemicals and equipment used to make meth and actual meth powder, sheriff’s deputies found two children – 2- and 4-years-old – in the house.
Authorities also discovered three other 7-year-old children also lived at the house, but were at school during the bust. The children are now in custody of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, the release said.
The 13 who were arrested are Tina Hood, Jacqueline Hood, Charles David King, Cory King, James Daniel Kilgore, James Anthony Kilgore, Daryl Kilgore, Melinda Miller, Darrell Wingfield, Lisa Ann Russell, Bradley Reynolds, Brandon Condra and Zach Edwards.
The release said the house was across the street from the City of South Pittsburg Ball Park and the people had “no regard for the safety of their own kids much less the safety of the kids just trying to enjoy the park.”
The Tennessee Dangerous Drugs Task Force was called to the scene to dispose of the hazardous chemicals and equipment in the meth lab.
“Sheriff Burnett stated that while less than 5 methamphetamine labs have been seized in Marion County over the past year, this bust shows that local meth production just will not go away,” the release said.
The 13 people charged will appear in Marion County General Sessions Court on Monday, Sept. 28 for their bond hearing.