April 2026 - Fentanyl Victims Network of North Carolina

Caregivers charged after child tests positive for methamphetamine

Read the original article and watch the video on the WECT 6 News website.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Two people have been arrested after a child was removed from a home deemed unsafe by the Columbus County Department of Social Services.

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) said it is investigating a child endangerment case after a referral about suspected substance abuse.

CCSO officials said that Lynn Richardson and Katelynn Richardson, the primary caregivers, were charged with exposing a child to a controlled substance and exposing a child to a controlled substance by ingestion.

According to arrest warrants, the child was 6 years old. Investigators allege the child had ingested and been exposed to methamphetamine.

Both caregivers were arrested and are being held on a $35,000 secured bond each.

The incident remains under investigation, and officials said additional charges are possible pending further medical and forensic evaluations.

Two charged after child exposed to illegal drugs in Buncombe Co.

Read the original article on the WSPA 7 News website.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) – The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office has filed charges against two people after a child was exposed to illegal drugs.

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The Buncombe County SRO division said on February 11, a child was brought to school experiencing symptoms of an exposure to illegal drugs. Detectives opened an investigation along with the Buncombe County Department of Social Services.

As part of the investigation, a search warrant was executed on February 25 at a home on Crofoot Trail in Woodfin.

Ashley Elizabeth Cook and Shane Kurt Gurley were both charged with exposing a child to a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Gurley was also served with an order for arrest for failing to appear in court.

North Carolina General Statute 14-318.7, exposing a child to a control substance, is a new law that went into effect on December 1, 2025.

“Children are dependent on their caregivers for a safe environment in which they can grow and thrive,” said Buncombe County District 2 Captain Chris Stockton. “We are proud of the efforts of our team who passionately sought to bring accountability for the victim in this incident. Our hearts go out to the victim in this situation, and we hope these efforts facilitate a safe environment in which to grow and thrive for years to come.”

Officials said the child and other family members are receiving aid.

Driver’s ‘odd behavior’ leads to traffic stop; woman charged with exposing child to drugs

Read the original article and watch the video on the WFYY website.

JACKSON COUNTY, N.C. —

A driver’s “odd behavior” prompted a traffic stop on US-74 near exit 81 in which deputies found 85 grams of methamphetamine inside the vehicle.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said deputies pulled over a vehicle on US-74 near Sylva, North Carolina, around 10:30 p.m. on March 6.

The driver of the vehicle, Verena Jane Mosteller, was charged with the following:

Trafficking in methamphetamine by possession
Trafficking in methamphetamine by transportation
Maintn/Veh/Dwelling/Place for a controlled substance
Expose child to control substance
PWIMSD SCH II CSDWLR
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Resist public officer
Fail maintain lane control

WNC couple charged after child tests positive for drugs, deputies say

Read the original article and watch the video on the FoxCarolina website.

MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. (FOX Carolina) – The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office reports a couple were arrested after child tested positive for drugs.

A detective spoke with 39-year-olds Preston and Bethany Hensley on Jan. 13 after a referral from the McDowell County Department of Social Services, officials said.

Deputies report an investigation led to the children in the Hensley’s home being tested for narcotics exposure. A search warrant was also executed at their residence in Marion before 17 grams of cocaine were located.

Preston & Bethany Hensley(McDowell County Sheriff’s Office)

The Hensley’s were both charged with exposing a child to a controlled substance, possession of cocaine and maintain a vehicle, dwelling or place for controlled substance.

Bethany was issued a $75,000 secured bond on the first charge and a $20,000 secured bond for the other two. Preston was initially denied bond for the first charge due to being out on pretrial release. He was issued a $25,000 bond for the other charges.

Warrants: Crack cocaine found within 5 feet of 7-month-old’s crib, Greenville police say

Read the original article on the ABC News12 website.

GREENVILLE, N.C. — A Greenville man is facing multiple charges after police say a 7-month-old child was exposed to crack cocaine inside a home.

According to the Greenville Police Department, 34-year-old Ramesh Cherry was arrested Friday, March 13.

Cherry faces several felony charges, including possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance, exposing a child to a controlled substance, and felony conspiracy.

He is also charged with misdemeanor counts of simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and child abuse.

Arrest warrants state Cherry allegedly possessed 1.98 grams of cocaine with the intent to sell and maintained a home on 5th Street where crack cocaine was kept and sold.

Investigators say a 7-month-old child inside the residence was exposed to crack cocaine that was reportedly found within five feet of the child’s crib.

During the investigation, officers say they also found marijuana and drug paraphernalia, including two scales, clear plastic baggies, rolling papers, and mylar bags, items commonly associated with drug distribution.

Cherry was booked into the Pitt County Detention Center and is being held under a $40,000 secured bond.

He is scheduled to appear in Pitt County District Court on Monday, March 16.

Deputies say 3-year-old exposed to meth & cocaine while in vehicle

Read the original article and watch the video on the WITN website.

CRAVEN COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – A Pamlico County man and woman are in jail under multi-million dollar bonds after their arrest on Wednesday for drug trafficking.

The Neuse River Narcotics Task Force stopped a vehicle on U.S. 70 near the Tuscarora Rhems Road exit.

Inside were Choncey Sawyer, Jenna Barnes, and a three-year-old child, along with fentanyl and cocaine, according to deputies.

Sawyer, 34, of Bayboro, is charged with two felony counts trafficking fentanyl, felony conspiracy to traffic fentanyl, felony possession with intent to manufacture, sale, & deliver fentanyl, felony possession with intent to manufacture, sale, & deliver cocaine, felony maintaining a vehicle for sale of controlled substance, and felony exposing a child to control substances.

The 30-year-old Barnes, of Grantsboro, is charged with two felony counts trafficking fentanyl, felony conspiracy to traffic fentanyl, felony possession with intent to manufacture, sale, & deliver fentanyl, felony possession with intent to manufacture, sale, & deliver cocaine, felony maintaining a vehicle for sale of controlled substance, and felony exposing a child to control substances.

The two were charged under a new law that makes it a felony for anyone to allow someone under 16 to be exposed to drugs.

Sawyer, who was already awaiting trial on other drug charges, was given a $4-million bond, while Barnes is being held on a $2-million bond.

The child was turned over to family members, according to deputies.