CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Two people were arrested late last week on drug charges and suspicion of child cruelty.
Dawn Michelle Kocher, 33, of Clearlake and 34-year-old James Kellen Tully, who recently moved to the city, were arrested last Friday, according to Det. Nick Bennett of the Clearlake Police Department.
Just before 6:30 p.m. Friday the Clearlake Police Department received a report of a young child stating he could not wake his mother and she was bleeding, Bennett said.
Officers Travis Lenz, Abigail Hernandez and Joseph Myers responded to Ridgelake apartments, located at 3810 Old Highway 53, and made contact with Kocher and Tully, Bennett said.
Bennett said officers determined there was no injured person at the address. However during the welfare investigation into a possible injured female, methamphetamine as well as drug paraphernalia was observed in plain view.
Clearlake Police detectives were notified and a search warrant was written and subsequently signed by a Lake County Superior Court judge, Bennett said.
Subsequent to a search of the apartment under the search warrant, Bennett said officers discovered several ounces of additional methamphetamine and concentrated cannabis in addition to items which indicated the occupants of the apartment possessed the methamphetamine and concentrated cannabis for sales.
Bennett said both Kocher and Tully were arrested and booked into Lake County Jail on drug-related charges including possession of narcotics for sale and child cruelty.
Tully's bail was set at $75,000, while Kocher's bail was $25,000. Jail records indicated Tully remained in custody on Tuesday, while Kocher had posted the required portion of her bail and was released.
An infant in the residence was released to a responsible relative and Child Protective Services was notified, Bennett said.
Anyone with any information on this incident is encouraged to contact Officer Travis Lenz at the Clearlake Police Department, 707-994-8251, Extension 511.