A Horseshoe Bend couple was arrested Thursday on felony child endangerment charges following a drug investigation that began in late September, authorities said.
The Izard County Sheriff’s Office said Chad Griffith, 41, and Danielle Griffith, 36, each face two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree, a Class D felony.
Chad Griffith
The arrests stem from a Sept. 30 encounter in Melbourne, when deputies found the couple and two minor children sleeping in a tent on top of their vehicle outside a local business. Investigators said Chad Griffith, an unregistered sex offender, was in possession of methamphetamine, firearms, and drug paraphernalia. He was arrested at the scene on multiple charges, including failure to register as a sex offender and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Danielle Griffith
Danielle Griffith was arrested that day for possession of drug paraphernalia, and the Department of Human Services was notified.
On Oct. 30, investigators learned that one of the children tested positive for methamphetamine, leading to the new child endangerment charges, authorities said.
The Griffiths were taken into custody Thursday afternoon and later released on $5,000 bond each.
Image: Izard County Sheriff’s Office
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