Drugs Found Hidden in Child's Crib

Thirty-five bags of drugs are found hidden in a baby's crib.  Authorities discovered the drugs Tuesday evening in Walker County.  Now, the mother is in jail and authorities are looking for her boyfriend, who's also charged in the marijuana operation. 

The Lookout Mountain Drug Task Force tells us this was a major operation the couple was running.  Authorities say they were busy selling pot to customers out of their home, and hiding the drugs underneath their sleeping child.

Mary Johnson can't believe where authorities say her neighbors on Straight Gut Road were stashing their drugs.  She says it's just sad, "You see this on TV in the make believe programs, you don't really think nobody would do this for real, but they do."

Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson tells us officers found more than a pound of pot under the toddler's mattress, and more drugs hidden in a suitcase behind the bed.

They also found the one and a half year old, a 7 year old, and the children's mother, Gina Mule.  She was arrested and now faces several drug charges.  Authorities say they also found and arrested one of her customers, Eric Upshaw at the home.  But, they tell us Mule's boyfriend, Johnny Person Junior ran off. 

Neighbors say they seemed like a happy family and are shocked to find out what deputies say went on behind these doors in front of kids.  "I can't imagine it, I really can't imagine doing something like that, putting my children in danger, that's putting children in danger literally."

Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson is also shocked by the drug operation.  "To hide your drugs where your baby's lying is just one of the worst things a parent should do."

The Drug Task Force says it was a big business, and that the couple had a surveillance system, and used a mail slot in the front door to check their customers, then pass on the drugs.  Larry Black says, "Lot of customers in and out, lot of people making purchases in nickel and dime bags, that are going to our young kids on the streets of Walker County."

Johnson says it's not just the drug dealing, but poor parenting that needs to be punished.  "It's like the old saying goes, you do the crime, you do the time."

As for the kids, we're told they were placed in the custody of the Department of Children's Services.  The Task Force tells us pills were also found inside the home, and the suspects could face more drug charges.  Anyone who may know the whereabouts of Person is urged to call the Walker County Sheriff's Office at 706-638-1909.