PIERCETON - Kosciusko County Drug Task Force shut down an active methamphetamine lab in Pierceton at 10:30 p.m. Friday.

The lab, at 791 Ind. 13N, was in the basement of a home owned by Blake Neeley. Officers had been investigating the home for 10 months after receiving citizens' reports of possible drug activity at the residence.

It wasn't until Friday that sufficient evidence for a warrant was obtained.

Officers went to the residence, which, according to a Drug Task Force press release, was filled with meth fumes, and found not only drug manufacturing in progress, but also four sleeping children.

Blake Neeley, 41, and Daniel Shepherd, 31, both of 791 Ind. 13N, Pierceton, were arrested and charged with drug offenses. Neeley was charged with operating an illegal drub lab, a Class D felony, and neglect of a dependent child. Shepherd was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, a Class B felony, and fleeing law enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor.

A third person in the residence, Debbie Neeley, 45, will be charged with operating an illegal drug lab and neglect of a dependent child.

Debbie Neeley was not initially charged because the four children could not be left unattended. According to a Drug Task Force officer, authorities were contacted and as soon as care was secured for the children, ages 11, 11, 2 and 18 months, she would be arrested.

Two of the children were the Neeleys', and the other two belonged to a houseguest. [[In-content Ad]]