GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY (WWJ) – A Northern Michigan father and convicted felon who was out on parole is facing drug and child neglect charges after police caught him using and selling drugs in front of his kids.
The father, whose name has not been released pending arraignment, was arrested after police in Grand Traverse County got a tip Sunday afternoon that the 35-year-old Mancelona man was using and selling drugs at the Goodwill Inn in Garfield Township, according to Michigan State Police.
The Goodwill Inn is an emergency shelter for homeless families, according to its website.
When MSP troopers showed up at the shelter with a search warrant, they found the children were "living in substandard conditions." MSP officials say the troopers found dried and fresh blood in numerous locations, while an uncapped needle and broken knife blade were both found in the kitchen.
Troopers also found an open cigarette carton in the bathroom, which contained trace quantities of heroin.
During a search of the bathroom, troopers saw several recent notifications on the suspect's phone from people looking to buy drugs, according to MSP.
In the master bedroom authorities found "an assortment of drugs and drug paraphernalia," including a small digital scale, three syringes, needle caps, a folding knife, Narcan, and packaging materials.
After the search, a witness admitted to police they had purchased drugs from the man two weeks earlier. It was not clear if that person will face charges.
The children, who were present at the time the search warrant was executed, were turned over to a family member. Authorities did not release the ages of the children.
The suspect had an outstanding warrant for his arrest out of Grand Traverse County for a prior possession of methamphetamine and another arrest warrant out of Big Rapids, according to MSP. He was also on felony probation from a previous drug case and "a verbal detainer was placed on him after his probation officer was made aware of this investigation," officials said.
He was held at the Grand Traverse County Jail pending arraignment on the new charges, which include possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession with intent to deliver Suboxone, maintaining a drug house, and four counts of child neglect/endangerment.
