DTF: Pair sold drugs with kids at home
Published 12:24 am Wednesday, June 24, 2009
An Andalusia couple now faces chemical endangerment charges after they were caught allegedly dealing drugs in the presence of an 8-year-old child.
Janice Labecca Raley, 48, and Parrie Harris, 53, were arrested Friday after Drug Task Force agents recovered different narcotics including Dilaudid, a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) controlled narcotic, as well as an undisclosed amount of cash from their home.
“The child, who was at the house during drug transactions, was removed from the residence and placed in the care of a family member,” said DTF agent Ray Dixon. “It’s unfortunate that there are still children being raised in homes and having to watch illegal drugs being sold and used around them.
“Once we secured the residence, a social worker with the Department of Human Resources was notified and was able to place the child in a better environment,” he said.
Both Raley and Harris are charged with the chemical endangerment of a child and one count of distribution of a controlled substance. They are currently being held in the Covington County Jail on a $500,000 bond each.
Also arrested Friday was Nathan Brian Odom, 27, was arrested for one count of distribution. Odom, too, was allegedly dealing Dilaudid.
Dilaudid, or hydromorphone, is used in medicine as an alternative to morphine.
The Andalusia Police Department and the local Alabama Beverage Control Board office assisted DTF agents in making the arrests.