Matthew Allen Rasnake

WARSAW — A Cromwell man received a suspended sentence after several children were exposed to drug activity in a residence.

Matthew Allen Rasnake, 36, 9620 N. Sandpoint Drive, Cromwell, was charged with neglect of a dependent, a level 5 felony; and possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony. A charge of possession of paraphernalia was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

On Aug. 4, officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office went to a Cromwell residence to assist a representative of the Department of Child Services with an in-home visit. DCS called for police assistance after it appeared Rasnake was under the influence of an illegal substance.

The representative told police she planned to take custody of three children at the residence. Police told Rasnake to gather some items for the children and when officers followed him into the residence, they reported seeing several smoking devices, both of which tested positive for methamphetamine.

For neglect of a dependent, Kosciusko County Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed sentenced Rasnake to one year in the Kosciusko County Jail. Rasnake was also sentenced to one year in the KCJ for possession of methamphetamine. Both counts will be served consecutively. The entire sentence was suspended on formal probation.