Three adults face charges including child endangerment and drug possession following a citizen’s complaint in Waldoboro on March 13.
According to the Waldoboro Police Department, Jennifer Fitzgerald, 30, and Joseph Minoty, 26, were arrested on charges including three counts of “endangering the welfare of a child.”
Minoty and Fitzgerald were also charged with “possession of cocaine” and “possession of drug paraphernalia.”
A third person identified as Michael Fitzgerald, 34, was summonsed on three counts of “endangering the welfare of a child” that Friday evening in Waldoboro.
According to officer Justin Cook, Friday was a busy day. He said he responded to multiple calls including an anonymous complaint from a concerned citizen regarding frequent illegal drug use at the Fitzgerald and Minoty residence, identified as an apartment at 35 Pleasant St.
According to a report from Waldoboro Police Chief Bill Labombarde, the anonymous caller was concerned about adults using illegal drugs in the presence of three children. Detective Lance Mitchell assisted Cook in the process of investigating the call when they found three adults actively using cocaine in the presence of three children, ages three, seven, and nine.
One three year-old child was watching television in the same room, as an adult prepared a hypodermic needle for use, according to Labombarde, who arrived on scene a few minutes after Cook and Mitchell.
The officers found two other children, ages seven and nine, in an adjoining room, also watching television while the drug activity was taking place.
According to Cook, police recovered approximately 25 hypodermic needles, most of which were found in a suitcase. Some needles were found loose on countertops, Cook said.
Police also found eight burnt spoons, allegedly with cocaine residue on their surfaces. Four plates were found with alleged cocaine residue, as well. Police found a loaded .30-30-caliber rifle in the home, which they said contributed to the charges of “endangering the welfare of a child.”
Cook transported Fitzgerald and Minoty to Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset without incident, where they posted bail. Police said the children were temporarily placed with family members while officials with the Dept. of Health and Human Services investigates the situation.
“Police could not have protected the children at the residence had it not been for a concerned citizen reporting this activity,” Labombarde said, adding that he encourages people to contact the police department with information or tips. “Citizen involvement is crucial in policing a community.”
