Two-Year Old Inside Home As Meth Lab Is Busted

May 1, 2013

The 21st Judicial Drug Task Force and the Flomaton Police Department have arrested four people after busting an alleged meth lab near Flomaton.

Task force agents Brandon Burkett and Adam Johnson along with Flomaton Police responded to a tip about a meth lab at 3487 Old Atmore Road, just northwest of Tulip Street and the Alabama/Florida line.

After arriving at the residence, agents made contact with 23-year old resident Cassandra Smith and smelled what they believed to be a strong chemical odor coming from inside the residence. Agents determined that there was a two-year old child  inside the home with an active meth lab.

Agents immediately removed the child from the residence for safety reasons and secured the scene while a search warrant was obtained. After obtaining the search warrant Agent Scott Walden, who is certified in dismantling and handling meth labs, was called to the scene to properly secure the hazardous materials that were discovered in side the residence.

Task Force agents said the items discovered inside the residence were consistent with those routinely used in the illegal manufacturing of crystal methamphetamines.

Smith, 22-year old Joseph “JoJo” Bell of Atmore Road, 26-year old Mark Faulk of Fowler Lane, and 26-year old Steven Bell of Old Atmore Road were each charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance synthetic (spice), unlawful possession controlled substance (meth), unlawful manufacturing controlled substance I, unlawful possession drug paraphernalia, and chemically endangering the welfare of a child.

All were booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton with bond set at $100,000. As of Tuesday afternoon, only Smith had been released on bond.

The Department of Human Resources responded to the scene and took custody of the child.

Comments

43 Responses to “Two-Year Old Inside Home As Meth Lab Is Busted”

  1. Just sick of it! on September 4th, 2013 7:21 am

    This drug has now messed up all most everyone I know, and then you see stories like this that envole a precious child and it just makes you sick! I pray that everyone who needs help and wants help may they all get it and overcome this terrible drug. Is it really worth losing everything and by everything I mean your child, I know my child is everything to me and it sickens me that anyone would put a child through that. It’s selfish, you should all be ashamed that baby is more important than any drug. Come on people get it together and STOP USING!

  2. David Huie Green on May 4th, 2013 5:56 pm

    HUH,
    I’ve been waiting for the explanation as to why such raising (assuming they actually had such raising, of course) should not be expected to produce better results. Don’t bother to explain why good results could be produced by other teachings unless you have your heart set on it.

    I’m just asking why people taught to respect law wouldn’t be expected to obey law.
    Why people taught to care for children wouldn’t be expected to care for children.
    Why people taught to treat others well wouldn’t be expected to avoid drug deals.

    Any one of those teachings SHOULD produce people who would not have done such things — assuming they actually did, of course.

    David still trying to “get it”

  3. David Huie Green on May 2nd, 2013 5:35 pm

    REGARDING:
    “poor David, you just dont get it….”

    Sad, isn’t it?

    David for comprehension and better people

  4. Lisa on May 2nd, 2013 12:13 pm

    sunshinegirl who said friendslol didn’t turn them in, sometimes you can report something & they never do anything about it or some people act like you don’t know anything, the grandmother should have been the one squealing for her grandchild.

  5. HUH on May 2nd, 2013 9:10 am

    poor David, you just dont get it….

  6. Just sayin' on May 2nd, 2013 8:44 am

    Also, I think the problem that people have with snitches is not so much that they told on somebody, but rather that they are doing the same thing and only tell on others because they got caught and want to get themselves out of trouble. The system should NOT work that way. It should be that if you’re doing the same thing, you get the same amount of trouble. You shouldn’t be able to have all charges dropped because you sold out all your little dope buddies. You should go down right along with the rest of them.

    It’s a lot like the pot calling the kettle black. If you’re doing the same thing, why are you treated any better? You shouldn’t be. You ALL did the crime, and you should ALL get the same punishment!

  7. sunshinegrl on May 2nd, 2013 8:25 am

    snitches or no snitches, set up or whatever you want to call it, it does involve a helpless child…maybe somebody was looking out for them in between the makings or doing of the drugs. Get your heads out of the clouds and speak for these children that can’t speak for themselves they NEED you HELP

  8. sunshinegrl on May 2nd, 2013 8:16 am

    @friendslol
    Well boys I new it was a matter of time wish yall the best lol !!! Busted

    That comment hit me wrong..if you knew it was just a matter of time why didn’t you make an Anonymous call to DCF for the sake of the child…you should have been his mouth since he wasn’t able to call on his own. Next time maybe man or woman up when it comes to the health and welfare of a child to young to speak on his/her own behalf.

  9. Stokes on May 2nd, 2013 4:10 am

    Good job my mom always told me if u can’t do then time don’t do the crime I was in jail for 3 years and I leaned my lesson Hope that thay will to

  10. Steve on May 2nd, 2013 2:49 am

    Sad really sad

  11. David Huie Green on May 1st, 2013 11:27 pm

    ANSWERING:
    “good Christian family” well what does that have to do with anything?”

    It’s quite simple. If the parents are Christians, following the teachings of Christ, there are certain things they will teach their children:

    Your body is the temple of the living God; live soberly. Don’t pollute it with drugs, don‘t hurt yourself.

    Treat others the way you would like to be treated; seek God‘s approval in your life; earn your living honestly. Don’t sell poison to others. Don’t hurt others even if they ask you to.

    Respect the government; reprove each other in love, abstain from all appearance of evil. If at all possible, obey the laws. Try to be found blameless and faithful in everything you do. (You will fail sometimes, but you will fail while trying to do right.)

    Give thanks to God, look to Him, not to your pusher or your dope.

    Children are precious in the eyes of God. Don’t risk their lives. Always be watching out for dangers which might hurt them.

    These are just a few things being brought up in a Christian home should include. That is why one wouldn’t expect unChristian actions out of people brought up by Christians and taught the teachings of Christ.

    David for truth

  12. busted on May 1st, 2013 10:07 pm

    Steven You Just Got Outta DRUG COURT WHY…..

  13. RB on May 1st, 2013 10:02 pm

    Honor your father and mother…. Not just because the Bible says to but because its the way it should be regardless. Raised in a good home or not it’s your choice.

  14. Just saying on May 1st, 2013 8:50 pm

    @HUH,

    What their upbringing has to do with it is to show that it doesn’t matter HOW you were raised, it’s what you choose to do with your life. They chose wrong. Too many times, people turn to blaming the family or the way someone was raised. That’s wrong.

    You can have parents who do everything right and their child turns out horribly.

    You can have parents who do everything wrong and their child turns out fantastically.

    Again, the fault lies with wrong decisions, and it doesn’t mean someone isn’t smart, hardworking, etc. It means…..THEY MADE WRONG DECISIONS!!!

  15. puddin on May 1st, 2013 7:05 pm

    @ David. Well you know its all those folks in Centurys fault and if we just legalized pot all would be right with the world. Lol :-)

    Oh yeah, I almost forgot, the baby was never in any danger because meth is perfectly safe and they didnt do non wrong! :-)

  16. Good job on May 1st, 2013 6:44 pm

    Good job Sheriff’s Office, keep it up and clean up that area.

  17. really! on May 1st, 2013 6:39 pm

    Here are some questions:
    How could the mother live in the house and not smell the odor?
    How long has this type of behavior been occuring at this house?
    Does the word enable apply here?

    I feel sorry for the neighbors who appear to be hard working individuals. They should not be subjected to the behavior that occurs in that area. Hope the Sheriff’s Office hits the red dirt road before you get to this trailer and cleans them all out. Could this be a family affair? Maybe a sign needs to be posted when you enter the area “Caution Drug Activity Abundant In This Area” Everyone knows what goes on in this area. Why don’t they move and take their operation elsewhere?

  18. Heather on May 1st, 2013 6:29 pm

    What a shame!! I went to school with Steven Bell and to see him getting involved in something like this shocks me. I would have never imagined that he would turn out this way. I know Cassie and she has always been such a sweet girl. That is all I can really say about her because I didn’t know her that well but why someone would want to put an innocent child in danger by doing something stupid like this is beyond me. I sure would like to hope and pray that this incident is what they need as a “wake up call” to get God in their lives and get out of this lifestyle!!

  19. sick of it on May 1st, 2013 5:25 pm

    I for one am sick of hearing how these criminals were raised in good home, or good christian home, and so forth. These folks were grown when they did this. Mom, Dad, or God no longer has a say in it. These people knew what they were doing when they were doing it. They played with matches and got burned…oh well. There is an old saying that you can do anything you can pay for. They can pay for the crime with the time. They are not uneducated enough, been brought up right or wrong enough, or even stupid enough. They knew it was illegal and did it anyway. So now they go to jail. Too bad. Grow up and act responsible and you won’t have this problem.

  20. JMO on May 1st, 2013 4:05 pm

    This is sad I know the Bell family even watched these boys grow up, their mother is and has always been a very hard worker and doesn’t deserve what she’s going through. I pray for the child and the unborn child that had to inhale this garbage.

  21. HUH on May 1st, 2013 2:34 pm

    @ just saying
    “good christian family” well what does that have to do with anything? i came from a family with no bible in the house.. and i’ve never been arrested or did drugs and my sibling and I were taught you have to work hard for what you want out of life.. Good Chiristian Family HUH
    it’s how you are raised has nothing to do with a bible!!
    (thanks mom and dad) :-)

  22. David Huie Green on May 1st, 2013 2:24 pm

    Hard work for a bad thing is not a good thing.

  23. AC on May 1st, 2013 1:48 pm

    LMBO @ David Huie Green on May 1st, 2013 6:39 am

    Thanks for the belly laugh, David.

    It would be funnier if wasn’t the truth.

  24. rob on May 1st, 2013 1:46 pm

    Snitching? Don’t do dang drugs and you won’t go to jail.

  25. Just saying on May 1st, 2013 12:46 pm

    No, I’m not going to talk about what “wonderful people” they are, David. I’m going to talk about the potential that has been wasted here. I only know Steven and JoJo, so I can’t say anything about the other two, but these boys grew up with my son and they were smart, hardworking, charismatic kids. They had a good Christian family. They were raised right.
    They had the potential to be amazing people, and it breaks my heart to see this. This doesn’t mean that they aren’t still smart, hardworking and charismatic people. It means that they took a horribly wrong turn, and now they have to face the consequences of that. They screwed up. I only hope that this “detour” will be the eye opener that they need to change their lives.
    As for the baby in the house with them, drugs do that to people. They get so caught up in the quest for more….more money, more dope….that they can’t even see what they’re doing. Thank God she’s ok and not in that situation any longer.

    Judge not, lest ye be judged.
    Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

  26. cygie on May 1st, 2013 12:23 pm

    @ angry mom. Bitter? I will watch my neighbor’s house, and if looks fishy I will call the law. Thanks for your advice.

  27. angry mom on May 1st, 2013 11:10 am

    Sure snitches might good if they weren’t as guilty as the ones they snitched on. Snitching to cover your own butt is cowardly. Also to everyone out there clean up around your own back door and don’t worry about others.

  28. pm on May 1st, 2013 11:03 am

    The baby needs to be taken away from mom forever – there are many good people that want to adopt. However, I feel sure that some Dolly Dogooder at the agency responsible for child welfare will be intent on “re-unification of the family”. This policy is in some cases the worst possible outcome. Some people are just not and never will be fit to be a parent. Social Services need to re-evaluate some of the people that work for them and if Re-unification is part of their mission statement they need to change it and think what is in the best interest of the child and not the mom and dad.

  29. Jay resident on May 1st, 2013 10:53 am

    Well I would certainly hope she (Lisa) was being sarcastic. Evenly so I am sure they’re are those that do use that as an excuse. People are always sorry or innocent once they are caught.Sad thing is these people let this drug take control of their lives and ultimately ruin it. The part that is truly tragic is the fact that there is a two year old involved. God bless the child. They were in danger in the care of an adult that is suppose to do anything in their power to keep them safe and they’re not even capable of caring for themselves.There are people that long to have a child that would be great parents ,then those that are lucky a enough to have a child and take it very much for granted. @ me-all comments were read dear. Perhaps you should go through and read them too. Not sure what your point is,but hopefully although doubtfully this will be the last story like this any of us will read. Just pray God protects the children belonging to these kind of people everywhere. They are innocent and don’t deserve the hurt.

  30. ??? on May 1st, 2013 10:19 am

    I knew it was just a matter of time.. That whole area is being watched and has been for years.. not surprised at all. I just don’t understand how the innocent/good people still live around them and not try to move away? I know that family is supposed to stick together and love unconditionally, but where do you draw the line? I pray that this is their wake up call and they get their lives together, not just for theirselves, but for their children. I also wonder about the parents/owners of the house that this happend in.. did you really not know this was going on? Shame on you for not being more observant.

  31. Resident on May 1st, 2013 9:38 am

    This is pathetic!!!! I went to school with Steven and he was a smart boy and as far as their mom she’s a hardworking woman who deserves better from her kids!!!!!……I am just sickened at what ppl around here are becoming!!! Grow up, move out ya mamas, get a real job, and take care of your Kids that’s to anyone doing drugs that have kids…..it’s bad enough when you dont!!!!!!

  32. me on May 1st, 2013 9:12 am

    @ Jay resident…maybe you shouldn’t comment until you read all the other comments.

  33. lol on May 1st, 2013 8:59 am

    jay resident… im purty sure that “lisa” was being sarcastic . lolol

  34. Crimestoppers - on May 1st, 2013 8:54 am

    I love watching school buses drive by slowly with happy children being safely transported.

    I also love snitches that fight crime. Good job to the crime fighting snitches!

    Poor little baby. I can’t respect people who endanger little children..

  35. Jay resident on May 1st, 2013 8:27 am

    @Lisa are you serious? ??!!!! Really?!! They were set up!! Do you realize how stupid that statement sounds.I guess that would be like saying someone stabs another person just because they happened to land on their knife,or a drunk gets charged a DUI because the beer just went down their throat and they got drunk somehow. Geez don’t know how all those dangerous chemicals got in here officer!

  36. David Huie Green on May 1st, 2013 8:09 am

    Yep and I forgot to mention blaming the whole thing on snitches.

    My bad

  37. Lisa on May 1st, 2013 7:48 am

    Funny but true, but you forgot 1 thing David. They were setup, even you should know that, from some of your angels that you’ve driven to & from school in the past.

  38. Samantha on May 1st, 2013 7:40 am

    This breaks my heart. :( Wake up!! This monster is ruining your lives!!!!

  39. Just Saying on May 1st, 2013 7:03 am

    Way to Go LEO’s!!!!

  40. David Huie Green on May 1st, 2013 6:39 am

    And somewhere around this point someone tells them to hold their heads up and to not judge them unless you haven’t cooked meth yourself and that you don’t know what wunnerful folks they are and not to bad-mouth them because even though “thay dun nun wrong” it embarasses their families and that the child wasn’t REALLY in danger of poisoning, being blown up and/or burned alive.
    Someone will blame Century somehow.
    Someone will push for marijuana legalization because that would magically cure everything.

    See? We DO know your mantras even if we disagree.

    I love you folks.

    David for reliability

  41. trouble on May 1st, 2013 4:24 am

    I hope they(judge) throws the book at these people. They can put their live at risk, but to have a child in with them is so BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  42. old classmate!! on May 1st, 2013 4:04 am

    im shocked but then again why should i be!! feel sorry for Jo jos momma!! No wonder all them road blocks were going on!! & to know a meth lab right down the road fronmy house…& that poor baby!! I can’t believe people chose drugs over thierf own children!!! maybe oneday these people wake up!

  43. friendslol on May 1st, 2013 2:43 am

    Well boys I new it was a matter of time wish yall the best lol !!! Busted