July 11, 2008
Brandon Haught
Public Information Office

TWO CHARGED WITH CHILD ABUSE FOR HOME METH LAB 

A 4-year-old boy was found in a home with the dangerous cooking chemicals of a methamphetamine lab in Deltona Thursday night. A tip led Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies to 1561 Providence Blvd. where a man and woman were arrested on drug and child abuse charges for exposing the child to the hazardous conditions. 

Investigators from the West Volusia Narcotics Task Force acted on an anonymous tip by visiting the home at about 7:15 p.m. As they approached the house, they noticed a chemical odor coming from it. They knocked on the door and were greeted by 30-year-old Judith Taylor. After the investigators identified themselves, Taylor allowed them to go inside. Investigators then saw materials commonly used to manufacture the addictive drug in the kitchen, and the chemical smell was much stronger. Also in the home was the boy and 52-year-old Brent Evans. 

After a search warrant was obtained, specially trained and equipped personnel took about two hours to dismantle the lab and remove the hazardous chemicals from the house. The lab was active, but no finished product had been produced Thursday night. Both Taylor and Evans admitted to trying to manufacture methamphetamine at the home on at least two prior occasions. 

The boy was turned over to the Florida Department of Children and Families. 

Taylor and Evans were both charged with manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of listed chemicals and aggravated child abuse. They were booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach without incident. 

The West Volusia Narcotics Task Force is a multi-agency force of investigators from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office and DeLand Police Department that shares resources and crosses jurisdictional boundaries to combat street-level drug and vice crimes. 

Residents of west Volusia who have information about possible drug activity are encouraged to contact the West Volusia Narcotics Task Force at 386-736-5249. Those on the east side of the county can call the East Volusia Narcotics Task Forces at 386-274-0185.