By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Ryan Paul Nicholas Rautenberg

Leanora Jonell Rautenberg

WARSAW — A Warsaw man and woman were recently arrested for drug use after their children were removed from their residence by the Department of Child Services.

Ryan Paul Nicholas Rautenberg, 32, 422 S. Union St. Apartment A., Warsaw; and Leanora Jonell Rautenberg, 31, 489 Clinic Court, Warsaw, are each charged with possession of methamphetamine and neglect of a dependent, both level 6 felonies; and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor.

On July 19, a Warsaw Police officer went to a residence regarding a domestic complaint. Warsaw officers were sent to the residence earlier in the day and also received several complaints throughout the week about the residence. Upon arrival, the officer saw Leanora standing on the residence’s deck and shouting at a cracked open door. Inside the door was Ryan, who was not letting Leanora enter the residence. Leanora said Ryan would not let her enter the residence because he believed she had cheated on him. She said she was willing to leave the residence but wanted to get clothing for work.

According to court documents, the officer told Leanora that he would take her from the residence to work. While being searched for weapons, the officer found a glass smoking device on her person that tested positive for methamphetamine. Officers also found $4,400 in Leanora’s purse. She was then taken to the Warsaw Police Department. While being interviewed, Leanora said she was worried about the living conditions for two children at her and Ryan’s residence. Leanora also made statements about drug use in the residence. While searching her cellphone, officers found a picture of Leanora and Ryan with drug paraphernalia in the residence.

Officers went back to the residence to perform a welfare check on the two children. The children appeared to be in good health, but Ryan would not give officers permission to search the residence. Officers then obtained a search warrant for the residence. According to court documents, the children told officers they did not have a bed and slept on couch cushions in the residence’s living room. Indiana Department of Child Services arrived on scene and made the decision to remove the children from the residence. The children were taken to a family member’s residence.

While searching the residence, officers found drug paraphernalia and a small bag containing methamphetamine. Poor living conditions were also observed in the residence. There appeared to be mold growing from the bathroom sink. There were also two empty bedrooms with clothing on the floors and no furniture. There was a lack of food in the residence and several dirty dishes in the kitchen.

The Rautenbergs had initial hearings in this case on Aug. 6.