By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Ryan Michael Kennelly

WARSAW — Two from Warsaw were recently arrested for drug use while caring for three children.

Ryan Michael Kennelly, 33, 4224 N. Runkle Drive 4, Warsaw, is charged with neglect of a dependent, a level 6 felony; and possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor. Alishia Nacole Bennett, 34, with the same address, is charged with possession of methamphetamine, neglect of a dependent, and unlawful possession of a syringe, all level 6 felonies.

On July 14, a Warsaw Police officer contacted a woman regarding a stolen cellphone. Upon arrival to the scene, the officer saw Kennelly and Bennett near a vehicle. There were also three children with them. The officer spoke with Kennelly, whose eyes were extremely constricted; he appeared to be under the influence of drugs.

The officer also spoke with Bennett, who was holding one of the children. Bennett said she was babysitting two of the children. While speaking with Bennett, the officer noticed she had extremely constricted pupils and was exhibiting erratic behavior. According to court documents, Bennett also appeared to have nearly dropped the child she was holding multiple times and was ordered to place the child in a stroller.

The officer then used a K9 unit to conduct an outer air search of the vehicle for illegal drugs. The K9 unit made a positive alert. While the search was being conducted, the officer noticed Bennett reach underneath the bottom compartment of the stroller where the child was and retrieve a handkerchief. She dropped the handkerchief on the ground and two syringes, along with a small plastic bag containing methamphetamine, fell out.

The Indiana Department of Child Services responded to the scene, as well as EMS, who took one of the children to Kosciusko Community Hospital because at one point the child became unresponsive.

Both Bennett and Kennelly were taken to KCH for drug tests. The two tested positive for the presence of amphetamines and cannabinoids in their systems. The child taken to the hospital was medically cleared and taken by a DCS caseworker to another individual’s residence. The children who were being babysat were returned to their parents’ custody.

Bennett and Kennelly both had initial hearings in this case on Aug. 6.

Editor’s note: A photo of Alishia Nacole Bennett was not available.