Napa Police Officers contacted Christina Smith and Damion Phillips at a business in the 1100 block of Imola Avenue in Napa early Saturday morning. Officers determined both suspects were under the influence of a controlled substance and arrested both.
Officers learned Smith had an 8-year old child who was not with her. Concerned for the child’s well-being, Officers attempted to locate the child. Smith gave misleading and conflicting information about her child’s whereabouts.
Officers went to Smith’s residence in the 3000 block of Hilltop Drive. Once there, Officers found the child asleep at home without any adult care or supervision in the residence. While checking the child’s welfare, Officers determined the apartment contained chemicals, glassware, and apparatus consistent with those used in the clandestine manufacture of methamphetamine in areas accessible to the unsupervised child.
Officers also located evidence of methamphetamine use, including a syringe and meth pipe. The child was taken into protective custody through the County’s Drug Endangered Children’s Protocol. Officers obtained a search warrant for the residence.
Agents with the Napa Special Investigations Bureau and Child Welfare Services responded and assisted in the investigation.
Because budget cuts recently dismantled the California Department of Justice’s Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, the agency traditionally responsible for investigating and processing evidence related to clandestine methamphetamine laboratories, the Napa Police Department requested assistance from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. DEA personnel responded and assisted with processing the clandestine meth lab for evidence.
Both Smith and Phillips were booked into the for methamphetamine manufacturing, child endangerment and are being held on $250,000 bail.
