BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

WARFIELD — A man and woman went to jail for allegedly endangering children after police discovered drug residue within reach of minors and unsanitary conditions in their Dempsey Apartments home.

Police arrested William Messer, 34, and Amanda Jude, 34, of Warfield, Aug. 30 in a joint operation involving law enforcement and the Department of Social Services.

Chief Deputy Chris Kidd of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call to assist DSS with a welfare check on minors in Apartment 12E at Dempsey. Inside the apartment, the officer discovered feces on the bedroom floors where the children slept. In one child’s room, the second-floor window was open.

The situation escalated when Kidd found a plate with crushed-up pinkish residue during the walk-through. According to the deputy, Messer acknowledged the substance, saying that is how he takes his suboxone. The deputy found a second plate in the living room containing a crushed-up pink powder Messer allegedly identified as suboxone.

Kidd noted in his report that Jude knew Messer had left the drug residue within the direct reach of her children.

DSS removed the children for alternate placement.

Messer faces charges of endangering the welfare of a minor, possession of a controlled substance, and a bench warrant.

Jude faces a single charge of endangering the welfare of a minor.