By James B. Bartle
The Franklin County Narcotics Unit has taken down another methamphetamine lab in the county; this time in Stanton, with a local tie to Sullivan.
According to the FCNEU, a strong chemical odor at a home in Stanton led county deputies to the meth lab bust.
The FCNEU responded to a rental home on the North Service Rd., Stanton, where they questioned a male and female regarding the lab.
The female, identified as Sarah L. Rowden, 27, was arrested at the scene and charged with possession of a controlled substance, endangering the welfare of a child and possession of drug paraphernalia, with bond set at $15,000.
Detective Sgt. Jason Grellner, task force commander, reported that a three-year-old child was in the home at the time of the drug bust and meth-making components were found in the child’s bedroom.
The child and three other children were placed in the custody of the Franklin County Division of Family Services.
When task force officers arrived at the home, they found a large fire in a barrel outside of the home and evidence that chemicals had been dumped down a sink and toilet.
Grellner stated that the woman was found to be in possession of alleged methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia at the time of her arrest.
Grellner added that a check of records found that Rowden allegedly purchased cold tablets containing pseudoephedrine 26 times in the last 18 months at the Sullivan Wal-Mart store alone.
The male suspect at the home is facing pending charges and is presently on parole in a previous case. He allegedly admitted to authorities that he helped the woman dispose of the evidence from the meth lab. His name was not released pending charges.