A mother was arrested recently on drug charges after Child Protective Services and a police officer found illegal substances in her home with children present.
Frances Helen Trolinger, also known as Frances Helen Ruckman, 34, of 1220 E. Fort Wayne St., Warsaw, was arrested and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 10:03 p.m. March 23 for possession of meth, neglect of a dependant in a situation that endangers the child, possession of marijuana – misdemeanor and possession of paraphernalia – misdemeanor. Her preliminary bond was set at $5,250.
Court documents filed Monday list the charges against her as possession of methamphetamine with enhancing circumstances, a level 5 felony; possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor; and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.
On March 23, Warsaw Police officer Clay Layne spoke with a Department of Child Services caseworker who requested an officer’s presence while she conducted a home visit at 1220 E. Fort Wayne St.
CPS and Layne arrived at the residence and spoke with the homeowner, Trolinger, and obtained permission to inspect the living conditions of the residence. Trolinger and two others were present.
When the caseworker and officer entered the bedroom, Layne saw a cut straw, a white crystal substance, a smoking device and a partially smoked marijuana cigarette on the dresser. All of the illegal drugs were allegedly accessible to the children, court documents state.
Layne spoke with Trolinger who allegedly admitted the crystal substance was methamphetamine. Layne field-tested the substance and it tested positive for methamphetamine.
Trolinger’s initial hearing is at 8:15 a.m. April 19 in Kosciusko Circuit Court.
