Five Arrested For Drug Dealing With Children Present In Lawrenceburg

The investigation began with a welfare check at a home on West High Street last January.

(Left to right) Jodie D. Shinkle, James P. Stradling, Myles R. Totten, Danielle Cavanaugh, and Jason J. Kaiser. Photos by Dearborn County Sheriff's Department.

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - Five people are facing a long list of charges in Dearborn County, ranging from Dealing in Methamphetamine in the Presence of a Child to Neglect of a Dependent.

The case began last January when Lawrenceburg Police were called to assist Community Mental Health Center with a welfare check at the home of Myles R. Totten, 30, on the 500 block of West High Street, according to a court affidavit. Children were heard inside the residence, but had moved to a nearby home by the time officers were able to enter the residence.

While investigating, police found a metal ammunition box containing methamphetamine and pills in an alley near the home. Through further investigation, officers determined the box belonged to Jodie D. Shinkle, 47, of Aurora.

James P. Stradling, 19, of Greendale, had been spotted with the two children walking in the area at the time of the welfare check. He allegedly told officers that Shinkle, who went by the nickname “Rowdy”, was a drug dealer who supplied methamphetamine to him on multiple occasions.

Jason J. Kaiser, 37, and Danielle Cavanaugh, 37, both of Cincinnati, had allegedly left their children with Totten and Stradling when they left the home with Shinkle at the time of the check.

Stradling allegedly told investigators he had smoked meth with Shinkle, Totten, Kaiser, and Cavanaugh the day before.  Children were present at the time, he said.

The five were each charged April 10 with Dealing in Methamphetamine at Least 10 Grams (level 2 felony), Possession of Methamphetamine at Least 10 Grams but Less Than 28 Grams in the Physical Presence of a Child (level 3 felony), Possession of Methamphetamine at Least 10 Grams but Less Than 28 Grams (level 4 felony), Dealing in a Schedule II Controlled Substance at Least 10 Grams but Less Than 28 Grams in the Physical Presence of a Child (level 2 felony), Dealing in a Schedule II Controlled Substance at Least 10 Grams but Less Than 28 Grams (level 3 felony), Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance in the Physical Presence of a Child Less than 18 Years of Age (level 6 felony), Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance  in the Physical Presence of a Child (level 6 felony), Possession of a Syringe (level 6 felony), Possession of Paraphernalia (class C misdemeanor), and Maintaining a Common Nuisance (level 6 felony).

Totten, Kaiser, Cavanaugh, and Stradling each face additional charges of Neglect of a Dependent (level 5 felony), and Assisting a Criminal (level 5 felony).

Totten, Kaiser, Cavanaugh, and Stradling have each been ordered held on bonds of $100,000 surety and $1,500 cash.