Meridian Police have arrested five people who they say admitted to using illegal drugs at a Meridian hotel, allegedly causing a two-month-old infant boy to suffer a seizure.
The five were arrested Wednesday at the My Place Hotel in the 3000 block of East Jewel Street, near the intersection of Eagle Road and Fairview Avenue.
Police responded to a report of a hit-and-run shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Jewel Street address.
“While standing outside the (hotel) room of the hit and run suspect, officers could smell the strong odor of burnt marijuana. Police knocked on the door and, when the occupants opened the door, the smell of marijuana was described as overwhelming,” according to Meridian Police Deputy Chief Tracy Basterrechea.
“The occupants admitted to smoking marijuana and methamphetamine in the room in the presence of a two-month-old baby boy,” he stated. “They also admitted the room had been filled with smoke and the baby had a seizure, which they did not seek medical care for because they did not want to get into trouble for (having) drugs in the room.”
During a search of the room, officers discovered approximately two grams of marijuana, .1 grams of methamphetamine (found near the baby), .7 grams of a white crystalline substance –- which police say will be sent to a lab for further testing, and multiple items of drug paraphernalia.
Arrested were Daniel Ramirez, 19; Paul Smith, 25, of Caldwell; Jeda Seilhamer, 19, also of Caldwell; Isacc Poindexter, 19, of Meridian; and Carlie Smith, 25, also of Meridian.
All face felony charges of possessing a controlled substance and injury to a child –- as well as misdemeanors of possessing a controlled substance, possessing paraphernalia, and frequenting a place where illegal drugs are used or manufactured.
“Carlie Smith and Isaac Poindexter are the parents of the baby, who was declared in imminent danger and placed into state custody,” Basterrechea said.
Seilhamer faces an additional misdemeanor of leaving the scene of an accident, in relation to the hit-and-run investigation.
Basterrechea said Seilhamer’s car had rolled backward and struck another car in the parking lot, and the woman reportedly did not notify the owner. The vehicle that was hit sustained only minimal damage, he added.
The suspects were booked into the Ada County Jail.
