Three missing children rescued from meth-filled home, California sheriff says

A weeklong search found three missing children surrounded by methamphetamine and other drugs in a Lathrop home, California officials say.

The children, ages 9, 11, and 16, were listed as missing after their mother failed to turn them over to authorities after a court order, a San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office news release said.

Deputies pulled over a vehicle with the father and another woman inside at 1:15 a.m. Monday, Oct. 17, in Stockton, the release said. Both were arrested.

Later that morning, deputies found the three children inside a Lathrop home along with their mother, who also was arrested, the release said.

“Methamphetamine, meth pipes, and other drugs were located throughout the house, easily within reach of the children,” sheriff’s officials said.

The parents face charges including child abduction, child abuse, and disobeying a court order, the release said. Authorities are working to place the children with other family members.

“We are very relieved that the children were located and safe from harm,” the release said.

Lathrop is a city of 28,000 near Stockton, about 60 miles south of Sacramento.

This story was originally published October 19, 2022 at 9:04 AM with the headline "Three missing children rescued from meth-filled home, California sheriff says."