UPDATE: Task Force Commends Teacher, Officer in Meth Bust
Parents charged with making meth after teacher, school resource officer acted on anonymous tip
Members of Stow's Safety Task Force, charged with making security recommendations in light of the Sandy Hook shootings, took a moment Thursday to credit a Stow teacher and police officer for helping uncover a meth lab this week.
Stow police, along with the Summit County Drug Unit, uncovered a meth lab Tuesday after a tip came anonymously from a caller who informed a Kimpton Middle School employee that a Stow student might be living in a meth house.
School administrators determined the tip was in reference to the 12-year-old who lived at the home in question, and it was then Lakeview staff that informed police of the alleged drug activity.
Stow-Munroe Falls Schools Superintendent Russell Jones said school administrator's took the teacher's tip to the school's Stow Police resource officer, who started an investigation into the child's well-being and surroundings.
"It's a perfect example of one of the advantages of having an officer in the building," Jones said Thursday. "Some kids are safer today. (In) the absence of the officer, that may or may not have happened."
Police searched the child’s residence — located at 1842 Lillian Rd. — and found components used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.
The parents, Jason Little, 37, and Brandi Little, 28, of Stow, were arrested, charged with multiple felonies and taken to Summit County Jail, according to Stow Police Chief Louis Dirker. And five children — ages 2, 8, 9, 11 and 12 — were removed from the house and taken in by Summit County Children’s Services.
Munroe Falls Mayor Frank Larson commended the teacher and officer for their awareness and response.
“It’s not just the shootings," Larson said. "It’s other things that are more subtle. We have a tendency to look at just the obvious."
Editor's note: this article was updated with a clarification on how the meth lab was uncovered at 8:55 a.m. Feb. 22, 2013.
Dev
7:25 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Two articles ..
"Anonymous Tip Launched Suspected Meth Lab Investigation, Not Chemical Odor"
and
"Task Force Commends Teacher, Officer in Meth Bust" (employee who noticed one of their 12-year-old students came to class smelling like chemicals")
Oh media Gods.... tell me which is True.. so I know what to believe :)
Does the Task force need a "Fact Finding Committee" or "Special Blue ribbon commission" ?
John Deike
9:31 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Hi Dev, initial reports indicated the investigation was launched by a child smelling of chemicals, but the two articles you've referenced above state that it was actually an anonymous tip that spurred the suspected meth lab bust. So, to answer your question, both articles are correct. :) Best, JD
Mike Plum
7:38 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Great Job to everyone involved!!!!
Chip McClintock
8:05 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
I agree to "giving credit, where credit is due".....my goodness!!!! But for hevans sake, 5 children have been pulled from peril!!! Lets remedy that first before we pin point who the real hero is! My 2 cents (sence)!
Stephanie M
3:08 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013
Yes, Jason, I believe there is something called "innocent until proven guilty". I realize there was a bust here and the pictures speak for themselves, thats what they're commending, and yes, the kids are safe which is good, but yes, there is ALWAYS two sides to a case.
O really
8:27 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013
Well the rest of the story is on that very morning one of the kiddo's in Highland came in and vomited everywhere. Maybe he had been exposed to the same chemicals!!! I am hesitant to call it viral, after all ammonia or the other goings on from this unsafe chemistry can cause vomiting after all you can't even live in it even after they are long gone.