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WASHINGTON TERRACE — A meth pipe dropped in an 8-year-old girl's book bag was discovered by an elementary school teacher this week, leading to three children being placed in protective custody and landing their parents in jail.
A teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School reportedly found the pipe Wednesday and contacted a school resource officer who works for the Weber County Sheriff's Office.
The ensuing investigation led deputies to a home near 5200 South and 200 West, where they found drugs and drug paraphernalia "in the same area as children's toys and books," said Weber County Sheriff's Lt. Lane Findlay.
One piece of paraphernalia was discovered underneath a pillow on a child's bed, Findlay said.
Bryce Floyd Tyler, 46, and Joanne Wiese Tyler, 39, were arrested for investigation of child endangerment, drug possession and paraphernalia possession. The Tylers' three children, ages 8, 2 and 20 months, lived in the home with them, Findlay said. The couple allegedly used drugs in front of the children.
Bryce Tyler, who is reportedly a registered sex offender in California, is also being investigated for possible other offenses because of "pornography and other disturbing items of a sexual nature" found in the home, according to Findlay.
Police placed the children into protective custody. Officers believe the children's 59-year-old grandmother, who also lives in the home, also used drugs in their presence and was the person who dropped the pipe into the third-grader's book bag. She is also being investigated but was not booked into jail for health reasons, Findlay said.
"This was an extensive investigation, and the deputies and investigators who responded out are commended for their hard work in ensuring these children are no longer in such a detrimental environment," the lieutenant said in a statement.
The Tylers have no criminal record in Utah besides misdemeanor traffic violations.
Contributing: Andrew Adams
