Two couples were arrested early Monday after investigators discovered an active meth lab in a home where six small children were residing.
Angela Dummar, 26, 177 Williams Rd., Phil Campbell; Adam Dummar, 33, same address; Steven Wilson, 26, 445 Winston 426, Double Springs; and Meagan Wilson, 879 Franklin 94, Russellville, were all arrested on one count each of first-degree manufacture of methamphetamine, trafficking in methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and chemical endangerment of a child.
According to Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver, dispatchers received a call on Monday from a relative of one of the suspects who was concerned about the welfare of the suspect’s children.
Oliver said the relative was worried that the children were in an unsafe environment and asked that a deputy go to the residence where the children were staying to make sure they were okay.
Oliver said when the deputy arrived at the residence on Williams Road in Phil Campbell, he reported that he smelled a strong chemical odor and contacted investigators with the Franklin County Drug Unit to investigate further.
“When the investigators got to the home, they discovered an active meth lab in the crawl space underneath the home that was actually directly underneath the room where the six young children were,” he said.
Investigators said the children’s ages ranged from one year old to seven years old.
“This is just sad that these individuals would be manufacturing meth right underneath the room where their children were sleeping,” Oliver said. “The chemical fumes that are generated during that process are so dangerous, not to mention the possibility for a chemical explosion.
“We’re just very glad that we were able to get those children out of that environment and to a place where they would be safe.”
Oliver said with the help of the Franklin County Department of Human Resources, all the children were released into the custody of family members.