Florida teacher arrested after detectives discover meth in home


Two Ona, Florida, parents were arrested on drug and paraphernalia possession charges as well as child neglect charges this week after a warranted search of their home led to the discovery of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia instead of a suspect.

Hollis Morantes is a high school science teacher. Hardee County sheriff's detectives arrived at her home Wednesday to search for David Alday, who had escaped from Desoto County Sheriff's Office in a vehicle linked to the homeowners.

While Alday had reportedly left in a different vehicle, officers still found drug paraphernalia "in plain view," according to a WWSB report. A pipe, which tested positive for methamphetamine residue, reportedly belonged to her husband, Gabino Morantes.

The two agreed to a further search of the home, which yielded 4.3 more grams of the drug along with more paraphernalia.

All of the drugs were found within reach of the couple's 5-year-old child and in a common area, the report says.

Both parents said they had used the drug that day.

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