Two Arrested In Drug Raid With 7 Children In Home
At approximately 7:30 AM, Wednesday, March 30, 2022, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department Drug Task Force and Lake County Sheriff’s Department SWAT Team executed a narcotics search warrant in the 600 block of W. 41st Avenue in Gary. The home had been identified as the location where a fatal overdose victim had purchased narcotics in February, according to Lake County Sheriff Oscar
Martinez Jr.
Officers confiscated 2 handguns from the home, as well as suspected narcotics including heroin, crack cocaine, oxycodone and marijuana.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Unit and Indiana Child Protective Services were contacted and responded to the scene. Seven children ranging between the ages of 1 and 15 were taken from the home and were placed into the custody of CPS, Martinez stated. As of Thursday, March 31, 2022, 4 were still in CPS custody and 3 had been released to their parents.
Officers arrested 30-year-old Jeffery Howard Jr., and 58-year-old Cheryl Hollins, both of the above address. Both may face charges including possession and dealing of a controlled substance, and child neglect, Martinez said. Both are being held at the Lake County Jail.
Some of the children were determined to be grandchildren of the female suspect, others were nieces and nephews.
