Two Boone County residents have been arrested following a child abuse investigation in which authorities say an infant tested positive for methamphetamine exposure.
According to court documents, 50-year-old Mark W. Gandy of Omaha and 22-year-old Lilly A. Tuttle, who lists a Russellville address, face felony charges of introduction of a controlled substance into the body of another person, possession of drug paraphernalia and endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree.
The investigation began Dec. 7 when Boone County Dispatch received an anonymous report that Gandy who was listed on the county’s Most Wanted website was at the Ozark View Trailer Park with Tuttle and their infant child. The caller reported the child may have been injured earlier in the day and alleged Gandy refused to seek medical treatment because of outstanding warrants.
Deputies responded and located a vehicle believed to be driven by Gandy entering the trailer park. After a brief pursuit, the vehicle stopped with Tuttle driving, Gandy in the passenger seat and the child in the back seat. Authorities say Tuttle told deputies Gandy instructed her to continue driving in an attempt to avoid law enforcement.
Gandy was arrested on outstanding warrants, and Tuttle was arrested on a fleeing allegation. Both were taken to the Boone County Detention Center.
Deputies reported observing a bruise on the child’s chin at the scene, and the Arkansas Department of Human Services took custody of the infant.
Five days later, investigators with the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division contacted the Boone County Sheriff’s Office regarding a hotline report alleging drug use around the child. Authorities learned drug paraphernalia had been removed from the couple’s camper by a relative and discarded but was later recovered and placed into evidence.
Investigators reported finding a digital scale with suspected methamphetamine residue, a spoon, a broken glass pipe, a white rock believed to be methamphetamine and two used syringes inside the residence.
During interviews, Tuttle denied the drugs belonged to her and indicated they were Gandy’s. Gandy acknowledged past methamphetamine use but denied knowledge of the items found, telling investigators he believed he had cleaned the camper out prior to the search.
Authorities later received results of a hair toxicology test conducted on the infant, which showed positive for methamphetamine exposure. Court records also indicate Tuttle failed multiple drug tests administered by DHS while the child was in state custody.
Gandy has an extensive criminal history, including prior felony convictions for terroristic threatening, domestic battery, second-degree assault, drug paraphernalia, delivery of marijuana, aggravated assault, false imprisonment and fleeing on foot.
Gandy is free on $25,000 bond, while Tuttle’s bond was set at $6,200. Both have since posted bond and been released pending further proceedings in Boone County Circuit Court.
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