Child and Meth Lab in Car

A LaGrange man is accused of making meth in the front seat of his car while driving with a small child in the back seat.

State Police and the Sheriff Department responded to a tip that a car was on a road near Lakeland High School with a meth lab inside.

About 10:25 a.m., officers saw the vehicle go past them on Old Indiana 9 from LaGrange. The car was stopped at County Road 100 East near County Road North, the report said.

Not only did they find an active meth lab in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the report said, but they also saw a small child sitting in the back seat.

The driver of the vehicle, Richard Lee Starr, 24, was taken to the LaGrange County Jail. He was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of precursors and neglect of a dependent.

The child was released to the custody of a parent and the vehicle was impounded. Thestate police’s Clandestine Laboratory Team was directed to the impound lot to deal with any toxins and to collect the evidence.