Carson City couple jailed for child neglect, abuse after meth found in filthy motel room

The Carson City Sheriff's Office Special Enforcement Team arrested a couple Saturday at a Carson City motel they had been living in for suspicion of felony child abuse/neglect and drug possession.

Thomas Johnson 39, and Kathryn Johnson, 40, were taken into custody at 9:56 p.m. at a motel in the 500 block of North Stewart Street.

According the arrest report, a SET deputy went to the location for a controlled substance complaint after receiving information that there was suspected drug activity and heavy foot traffic in one of the rooms.

When SET arrived, one man was arrested with a felony warrant after he was seen leaving the suspect's room. The man, Adam Miller, was arrested for the warrant and for being in possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia, the arrest report states.

Deputies were approached by a motel tenant who said he usually sees a young girl playing outside the room and was concerned for the child because he did not see her outside that day, the report states.

Deputies decided to make contact with the occupants of the room in order to determine if there was drug activity and to check on the welfare of the child living in the room, the report states.

Deputies knocked on the door and Thomas Johnson answered. Deputies could smell a strong odor of burning marijuana coming from the room. Thomas Johnson was guarded about the room and maintained tight proximity to the door, the report states.

Deputies explained why they were there. Thomas Johnson stated he and his 2-year-old daughter had been living at the motel room for 7 months. He said "the house is thrashed" because they were in the process of moving.

As he continued to speak, the man was exhibiting signs and symptoms of methamphetamine use, including rigid muscle tone, dry mouth, rapid speech and an agitated nervous system with rapid and repeated movements of the hands and feet, the report states.

Deputies continued to speak with the man. His wife, Kathryn Johnson, opened the door. Deputies could see inside the motel room and it appeared disheveled. Deputies noticed diapers, tools and clothing all over the floor and bed. The smell of burnt marijuana was strong in addition to the smell of garbage or rotting food. The deputy saw the young child sleeping near the foot of the bed, wearing a shirt and diaper.

When Kathryn Johnson opened the door she appeared to be trying to clean or move stuff around. At that time, deputies felt the room may be unsafe for a child to live there, the report states. Deputies asked the woman to exit the motel room to speak. The woman exhibited similar signs and symptoms of meth use.

Deputies learned there was another person in the room along with the child, and identified him. Deputies note he was recently arrested by SET for having a warrant while loitering in a different motel room at a Carson City motel that was being investigated for drug activity.

Deputies asked the man to leave while they were completing the investigation. Another person, arrived at the motel room while deputies were talking to the couple. The woman who arrived also had a history of drug use. She was served with an outstanding subpoena and released.

SET continued its interview with the couple, who stated they had both been using methamphetamine and that officers may find methamphetamine and paraphernalia in the room.

Based on observations and information obtained, deputies applied for a received a telephonic search warrant requesting a search for drugs in the room, and, due to possible child abuse and neglect, to secure blood draws from the couple. The warrant was granted.

Deputies entered the room, and found trash, assorted luggage, clutter and filth. Deputies noted the child appeared clean, nourished and had a calm disposition, was not potty-trained and was wearing a diaper and was able to say a couple words, the report states.

Deputies located a computer table with drawers within reach of the child. The furniture contained many items of drugs and paraphernalia including small amounts of methamphetamine in color baggies, a digital scale with residue, glass methamphetamine and marijuana pipes, broken drug pipes with sharp glass, all accessible to the child. There was another baggie of methamphetamine and a methamphetamine water pipe on the lowest shelf, within reach of the child.

There was a marijuana water pipe on the bed next to where he child was sleeping, several soiled diapers on the bed and on the floor; two refrigerators in the room, one with a 1/4 gallon of milk, and the other full of rotten food and mold, the report states.

Deputies discovered the child's bed, which was a camping cot, with an uncased pillow with stains, and soiled bedding along with dirt caked on the floor and light fixture next to her bed. There was a butcher knife in the child's safety seat, which was located on the floor near the bathroom and a hypodermic device cap in the child's clothing within a dresser drawer.

Throughout the search the arresting deputies did not notice any seclusion or an attempt to secure drugs or paraphernalia away from the child, the report states. There were no locking drawers.

Multiple dangerous and drug related items were located in the room and within reach of the child, with the potential for bodily injury or death possible to the child, the report states.

The Department of Child and Family Services were called to the scene and determined that the removal of the child was necessary and that she would be placed with a temporary guardian, the report states. The case worker stated she would order a drug test for the child to determine exposure.

Deputies received the couple's criminal history and learned they were both arrested for felony child abuse in California in April 2011. They were arrested and convicted of misdemeanor child abuse, the report states.

The couple were arrested and each booked for suspicion of child abuse and neglect, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail: $43,637 each.

In other arrests:
— A 35-year-old Carson City woman, Darla Wendy Demarco, was arrested Sunday for suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, a felony, gross misdemeanor battery on a public officer, a gross misdemeanor, and four lesser charges, a sheriff's deputy report states.

According to the arrest report a deputy was dispatched to an Empire Ranch Road address regarding a warrant service. While responding to the area, the deputy saw the female walking on Dog Leg Road. The woman saw the officer and evaded as the deputy turned around to intercept.

The officer told the woman to "stop" and "come here." The woman responded by dropping a large bag and then walked away. The officer attempted to grab the woman by the wrist. The woman swung her arms, resisting. The woman then pushed the officer away using her palms and then took off running.

The deputy chased the woman, who jumped two large wood fences. An additional deputy and sergeant were able to locate and detain the woman in the road way. An additional deputy collected the bag belonging to the woman. The officer inventoried the bag and located a clear glass meth pipe with residue. She was booked for the above charges and for misdemeanor obstructing, possession of drug paraphernalia, a failure to appear warrant and violation of bail conditions. Total bail amount listed: $10,069.

— A 28-year-old Carson City man was arrested Sunday 12:49 p.m. in the 500 block of East William Street for driving with suspended vehicle registration and for being in violation of Department of Alternative Sentencing conditions. He was in possession of alcohol, which, as a condition, he was not to be in possession of. Bail: $3,112.

— A 20-year-old Carson City man was arrested Sunday, 1:58 a.m. in the area of Goni and Conestoga for misdemeanor violation of bail conditions. The man was on alternative sentencing with a condition not to drink alcohol or use drugs. He submitted to a preliminary breath test with result of .233 and was arrested for violation of bail conditions, the report states. Bail: $500.

— All information for the crime log (unless otherwise noted) comes from the arrest reports supplied by the Carson City Sheriff's Office, and is considered by law to be public information. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The policy of Carson Now is to name anyone who is arrested for a felony offense.