Casey Jones, Jacinta Jones and Tonja Benitez had drugs in car with kids.

**Sister Iroz** · January 28th, 2009, 05:21 PM

SALEM, N.H. -- Child endangerment charges have been filed against a man and two women after police said they found drugs in the car they were in with two children.

Police said they stopped the car on Route 28 in Salem earlier this month because the vehicle's registration was suspended.

"We determined that there was some heroin in the vehicle," said Capt. Shawn Patten. "A male subject was subsequently taken out of the vehicle and tried to swallow the drugs. He fought with officers and was Tased and arrested without further incident."

Casey Jones, 32, was arrested on several charges that include resisting detention. Inside the car, police said, they found more than a dozen hypodermic needles along with two adult women and two children who were about 2 years old.

"Through the course of the investigation, after speaking to the two female occupants police learned that they had just came from Lawrence, Mass., and purchased heroin," Patten said. "There were also two small children in the back seat of the vehicle, as well."

Police said Jacinta Jones and Tonja Benitez were each the mother of one of the children in the car. Authorities said they were all taken to the Salem Police Department, where the Department of Children, Youth and Families was contacted.

Police said they determined through their investigation that child endangerment charges were appropriate for all three adults.

"It's unconscionable for anybody with common sense, as far as taking their children on a drug purchase in the city and buying heroin and keeping them in the vehicle," Patten sad. "You never know what could happen in these situations."

Casey Jones being held in jail, while Jacinta Jones and Tonja Benitez were released and given future court dates.

http://www.wmur.com/news/18577487/detail.html

JONESSALEM – The mother of one of two toddlers taken along on a trip to buy heroin turned herself into police this morning.

Police said a pair of two-year-olds were taken by three adults to Lawrence, Mass. on Jan. 5 to buy drugs. Their car was pulled over in Salem on Route 28 that night because of a suspended registration.

The children, both age 2, were in the backseat of the car in which officers found a dozen hypodermic needles, according to police. Officers were told the three had just come from Lawrence where they bought some heroin.
090127 Casey Jones (60px)

Only the driver, Casey Jones, 32, of Gonic, was charged that night. Police said he fought with officers, gave them a false name and swallowed several bags of heroin. He had to be tasered to be subdued, according to Capt. Shawn J. Patten.

Capt. Shawn J. Patten said since then both women -- the mothers of the children -- were charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

Tonja Benitez, age and address unavailable, turned herself into police earlier this month.

Jacinta Jones, 38, of Somersworth was booked today on the misdemeanor charge and released on $470 cash bail. She is to appear in Salem District Court on March 3.

The state Department of Youth, Children and Families took custody of the two children and is conducting its own investigation.

Casey Jones is charged with false reports, resisting arrest, assault on a police officer and tampering with evidence.

http://www.unionleader.com/pda-artic...5-877645d2db8b