Akron police find 7-year-old girl sleeping in suspected meth lab house

AKRON, Ohio - Police in Akron have charged two men, after a meth lab was discovered in a home where a 7-year-old girl was sleeping.

Authorities were tipped off to the meth lab at 57 West Cuyahoga Falls Avenue after a cop, working a second job at an Akron store, called on-duty officers to report a suspicious purchase of lye, an ingredient commonly used in making meth.

Police went to the home on Saturday night and detected an "odor of chemicals" while outside the house. They also observed a fan in a second story window that was being used for ventilation, police said. 

Once inside, officers discovered an "actively cooking ammonium nitrate methamphetamine lab in a bottle on a dresser" on the second floor. They also found a 7-year-old girl sleeping on a couch on the first floor. She was quickly removed from the home and is now in the custody of Summit County Children Services.

"It's extremely concerning to the police department when children are in the house of a meth lab. The chemicals and vapors are very dangerous for the young children's lungs and for their respiratory system," said Akron Lt. Brian Simcox.

Ronald Noland, 29, and David Johnson, 29, were arrested at the house. They're facing five felony charges, including child endangering and illegal manufacturing of methamphetamines. Both are behind bars at the Summit County Jail.

The owner of house was not charged. He said Johnson is his son-in-law and assumed Johnson and Noland were playing video games upstairs. The homeowner said he had no idea meth was being cooked upstairs and is "fit to be tied" that this granddaughter was put at risk.

Eloise Twyman, who lives across the street from the house that police raided, was deeply troubled when she heard about the girl inside the home. 

"It's terrible. That is so dangerous. It bothers my heart, it really does," Twyman said.

Lt. Simcox said the Clandestine Lab Enforcement Team (CLET) has busted 24 meth labs this year.

"It's very prevalent because it's an extremely addictive drug and it's very easy to make," Simcox said.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2009, 1.2 million Americans age 12 and older had abused meth at least once in the year prior to being surveyed.

The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports meth is long lasting and toxic to certain nerve terminals in our central nervous system.