Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PROVO— Narcotics officers said they busted a meth operation inside a Provo home full of children.
One of the suspects, grandfather Darwin Goode, told police after his arrest that he had to sell meth in order to feed his grandchildren, police said.
"He was looking at it as a form of income to support the family," said Lt. Phil Murphy of the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force.
Officers found eight children under the age of 14 living in the home, along with drug paraphernalia and the potential of being exposed to dangerous drugs, police said. Officers said they seized scales, packaging and meth after serving a search warrant.
"A lot of children in the home where meth is being distributed makes it a sad situation where you have children in the home who can't make the decision to be there, but they were there," Murphy said.
Investigators said Goode has been involved in selling quantities of meth, and faces felony distribution charges. Goode's wife and a daughter were also arrested, as well as another daughter who lives in the home. A next door neighbor and two men were also arrested. All seven face charges of meth possession and child endangerment.
"There are other options out there," Murphy said. "This one is obviously not going to be productive for a family; an environment with children in the home has too many risks, too many dangers. It is sad someone feels like they have to earn a living by selling methamphetamine and putting children or grandchildren at risk."
Police contacted the Division of Child and Family Services, and the children are now in protective custody.
