Two Arrested, Drugs And Paraphernalia Found Inside Infant Car Seat
WARSAW — A Warsaw woman and an Etna Green man are facing multiple drug-related charges after police performed a welfare check.
Shanelle Dianae Byrer, 26, 8280 E US 30, Pierceton, is charged with dealing in methamphetamine, a level 2 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 3 felony; possession of syringe, a level 6 felony; neglect of a dependent, a level 6 felony; driving while suspended, a class A misdemeanor; and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor.
Earl Dean Shepherd, 48, 8810 W. Old Road 30, Etna Green, is charged with dealing in methamphetamine, a level 2 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 3 felony; possession of a syringe, a level 6 felony; and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Feb. 11, Warsaw police were dispatched to Little Caesar’s parking lot for a welfare check after receiving a phone call about a man, woman and infant inside a silver Ford Taurus. The caller said the woman, who was the driver, appeared to be under the influence of drugs.
Police conducted a BMV inquiry of the license plate which returned the name of two individuals involved in a situation with an active protective order and an active arrest warrant.
The vehicle pulled out of the parking lot and drove east on Market Street, then turned in to the Dollar General parking lot.
Shepherd was allegedly rummaging through the vehicle and eventually exited the vehicle and removed an infant car seat containing a child from the back seat.
Shepherd and Byrer went inside Dollar General with the infant. The man later left the store alone, moved the Ford Taurus to a different location in the parking lot, then exited the vehicle and appeared to be heading back into the store when police made contact with him.
Police told Shepherd, that they needed to speak with the woman, Byrer. Shepherd agreed to enter the store and ask the woman to come outside.
Byrer exited the store, appearing angry and asked police what they wanted. As police attempted to explain the phone call related to a welfare check, they noted the woman’s erratic body movements and aggressive mannerisms and believed her to be under the influence of an intoxicating drug. The woman refused to identify herself. When she was told by police that they believed her to be the person whose name the vehicle is registered to, she allegedly responded, “That’s not my name, Stupid.”
Shepherd later identified the woman as Byrer. (Shepherd and Byrer are not the two individuals involved in a protective order situation that involves a protective order and active warrant). A BMV check of Byrer determined that she has a suspended driver’s license. Police also found that Shepherd had been arrested Feb. 2 for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
A search of the car was performed after a K-9 officer made a positive alert to the presence of a narcotic substance. Officers found a backpack in the driver side rear passenger compartment containing a small black bag that held three syringes that field-tested positive for methamphetamine, men’s clothing and a prescription bottle.
Shepherd agreed to let the police search him. Police found $1,000 in one hundred dollar bills in Shepherd’s pocket.
Child Protective Services arrived to provide assistance. Shepherd removed the child from the car seat, and police found a capped hypodermic needle, a digital scale and a bag containing a large quantity of methamphetamine under the padding of the infant car seat.
Police collected three cell phones as evidence. Byrer allegedly told police that Shepherd ordered her to grab the meth from the car when they entered the Dollar General store. Byrer said she returned the meth to Shepherd once they were inside the store and she did not know that Shepherd had placed the methamphetamine in the car seat.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Byrer is currently on probation for possession of a controlled substance in the presence of a child less than 18 years of age, possession of precursors with intent to manufacture a controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia.
Byrer was booked at the Kosciusko County Jail Feb. 11, on a $15,250 surety and cash bond.
Shepherd was also booked Feb. 11, on a $15,250 surety and cash bond.