Parents arrested after child found walking in the street alone

Updated at 5 p.m. on March 23, 2016 – After receiving a search warrant, deputies found 92 plants and an entire grow operation in a shed in the backyard. In addition, an Amazon package with “grow lights” was delivered to the home when deputies were on the scene. Estimated cost of the plants is $100,000.

Original story

A Logan County deputy was unable to find a parent after spotting a two-year-old male child walking alone in the street on Tuesday morning. A short time later, both parents were booked into the county jail.

The child was found just before noon walking on Charter Oak and Santa Fe Trail Road. The child was wearing only pajama pants and a diaper. The deputy requested Department of Human Services (DHS) to come and take custody of the child.

A short time later, as DHS was leaving with the child, the child’s father called to report that his child had gone missing from 9804 Shannon Drive. Investigators say the home was approximately 1,000 feet from where the child was found.

Once inside the home, the deputy detected a strong odor of marijuana.

The child’s father, Joshua Chance Bates, 35, inside the home while the child’s mother, Megan Maye Bates, 35, arrived as the deputy arrived to the home.

The couple gave consent for the deputy to search their home, which several drug items were found.

Remnants of marijuana plants, a candle jar full of marijuana, marijuana pipes and a green plastic bin containing several items, including marijuana. Investigators say the green plastic bin was also partially-full of water, in order to ferment the marijuana.

The Bates were placed under arrest for possession of controlled dangerous substances in the presence of a minor. More charges are expected to be filed.

The two-year-old, along with 12 and 17-year-old siblings, were taken into protective custody by DHS.

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