Staff Report

Kenyon Dwight Harris

WARSAW — An Elkhart man was arrested on multiple charges after his infant child was found to have ingested amphetamines.

In the first case, Kenyon Dwight Harris, 36, 2523 Eddy St., Elkhart, is charged with dealing methamphetamine with enhancing circumstances, a level 3 felony; and possession of methamphetamine with enhancing circumstances, a level 5 felony. He is also charged with dealing methamphetamine, a level 2 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 4 felony; neglect of a dependent, a level 5 felony; maintaining a common nuisance, a level 6 felony; possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor; possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor; and possession of marijuana with a prior conviction, a class A misdemeanor, in a second case.

Sometime in September, NET43 Drug Task Force purchased 1.8 grams of methamphetamine from Harris. Digital surveillance showed a very young toddler was inside Harris’s home at the time of the purchase.

On Sept. 12, Child Protective Services requested officers’ assistance for a home visit in Warsaw. According to court documents, CPS conducted the home visit after a woman took an 18-day-old child to a local hospital on Sept. 10. The child was having seizure-like activity and was later taken to a Fort Wayne hospital, where a toxicology screen showed they had amphetamines in their system.

Harris is the child’s father.

While attempting to make contact at the home, officers smelled marijuana and noticed a glass pipe with burnt residue. NET43 obtained a search warrant for the home and arrested Harris.

On Harris’s person, officers found a partially burned joint, 3.8 grams of methamphetamine, and $585 in cash including a bill documented by NET43.

The child’s crib was next to Harris’s bed. Two pacifiers were on the bed’s headboard, about 12 inches below where methamphetamine was found.

Officers also found 23 grams of methamphetamine and 29 grams of marijuana in the living room.

Meanwhile. Harris has been on bond for a narcotic drug dealing and possession case in Kosciusko County. He was also on bond in Howard County for operating a vehicle after a lifetime suspension.

Harris was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on Sept. 29.