Culpeper, VA—Two people face multiple felony drug charges after a suspected methamphetamine lab was found in the garage of a Culpeper home.
The suspected lab was discovered by authorities when police responded to a domestic call at a home in the 1100 block of Meander Dr. Tuesday afternoon.
Crystal Deavers, 26, and Robert Hawthorne Jr., 23, have each been charged with two counts of felony child endangerment, two counts of manufacturing methamphetamine with a child present, one felony count of possession of materials to manufacture methamphetamine and a misdemeanor count of domestic assault.
Hawthorne faces an additional charge of misdemeanor resisting arrest, and police said additional charges may be pending.
Two children, ages six and seven, who were in the home, were taken to Culpeper Regional Hospital to be decontaminated. The children were released from the hospital and taken into custody by Culpeper County Child Protective Services.
Police responded to the home around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday after neighbors reported hearing yelling and cursing coming from the home.
As police investigated the complaint of domestic assault and examined the conditions inside the house, police said they located what appeared to be the beginning of methamphetamine lab in the garage.
The home was immediately evacuated, and police notified the Drug Enforcement Agency to assist with the incident. Fire and rescue units and a hazardous materials team also responded to the scene.
Six nearby homes were evacuated residents as a precaution. No residents were injured as a result of the suspected methamphetamine lab or the evacuation.
Officers wearing protective suits and breathing apparatus removed items from the garage suspected to be part of the lab.
A Culpeper Police officer was injured during the arrest, when officers say Hawthorne resisted arrest. The officer was treated at the Culpeper Regional Hospital for a hand injury.
The Culpeper County Building Official declared the home uninhabitable, due to the noxious nature of the chemicals found in the garage.
Copyright 2012 by Young Broadcasting of Richmond
