By Kory Betts
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — A man and woman face charges in a case involving drugs, domestic battery on a minor and neglect of a dependent.

Kristina Nichole Carroll

Kristina Nicole Carroll, 27, 714 N. Cook St., Warsaw; and Jason Collins, 31, 714 N. Cook St., Warsaw, face charges of domestic battery to a person less than 14 years of age by a person at last 18 years of age, a level 6 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony; neglect of a dependent, a level 6 felony; possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor; and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor.

On Saturday, March 28, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Officer received a report of neglect of a dependent. The person who reported the case claimed he picked up a child on Friday, March 27. He said the child had bruises on their left arm, left side of the chest and on a lower right side of their back. The person who reported the case claimed the child said he was kicked twice by Collins.

The child was allegedly kicked because the television was too loud while Collins attempted to take a nap. The reporting individual also claimed that the child’s clothing frequently smelled of marijuana when they returned from the residence presumably occupied by Collins and Carroll, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

The officer spoke with the child who said they were watching televisions in Collins’ and Carroll’s bedroom. The child claimed Collins became angry because he was trying to sleep and the television was too loud. Collins allegedly kicked the child twice in the chest, kicking the child to the ground. The officer saw a bruise on the child’s left pectoral, on the child’s left arm and scrape marks under the right shoulder. Additional scrap marks appeared in the childs back, just above their right hip.

Jason Collins

The child claimed they were alone in the residence with Collins at the time of the incident. Carroll returned afterword, said the affidavit of probable cause.

At the residence, Collins claimed that he didn’t remember the incident. He said he must have knocked the child over in his sleep.

Carroll claimed that Collins battered the child. She said she only saw the injuries the child suffered afterword. At the time, she did not think that the injuries needed medical attention.

The officer noticed the smell of marijuana within the residence. Collins and Carroll consented to police searching the residence and the silver Ford Escape in the driveway, according to court paperwork. The Ford Escape was registered to Carroll.

Police found a small black case inside the door of the Ford Escape. The case allegedly held a baggie containing methamphetamine.

Multiple cut straws and smoking devices were found in a bedroom closet within the residence. The smoking devices had traces of methamphetamine and marijuana. Also, a glass jar that contained a green plant-like material that tested positive for CBD was found in a dresser.

Other paraphernalia was found in multiple parts of the residence, including the common area and the garage.

Collins and Carroll claimed they previously used methamphetamine and marijuana at the residence. However, they claimed it had been some time ago. They said they switched to using CBD. The two said they owned all of the drug paraphernalia found in the residence.

On April 17, Collins and Carroll were booked in the Kosciusko County Jail.

Collin’s bond was $10,250 surety and cash. Carroll’s bond was $750 cash.