GRAFTON, W.Va. — A 61-year-old Grafton woman is behind bars after the discovery of drug needles in a child’s playroom in Taylor County.
Taylor County deputies began an investigation Tuesday into the alleged theft of medicine at a home off Country Club Road in Grafton.
Deputies arrived at the home and spoke to Julie Lucas and another person who appeared to be intoxicated, with red eyes and several “pick” marks.
While speaking to the pair, deputies noted three children in the home that they reported to be filthy and in deplorable condition.
When Lucas took deputies to the location of the theft, she acknowledged the pill bottle was not hers. The bottle contained 56 pills of gabapentin (a nerve pain medication).
Deputies then questioned Lucas outside the home, where she told them there were needles used to shoot up methamphetamine inside the home.
Lucas then took the deputy inside the home to a room she called the “playroom,” where 20 needles were found in a closet. Deputies said many of the needles were uncapped, and there were multiple bags with drug residue in them.
During an interview, Lucas admitted to using methamphetamine every few days, including that day, but said she does not use it when she knows the children are coming. That day, Lucas told deputies she did not know the children were coming over.
Lucas has been charged with child neglect and is being held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail.
Story by Mike Nolting, WAJR