Toddler wandering in road leads to drug charges

North Vernon, IN—According to the Jennings County Police Department, yesterday morning, deputies with were dispatched to the area of Bending Willow Way and Wildwood in Country Squire Lakes in reference to finding a two-year-old in the roadway without an adult present. Upon deputies’ arrival, the child was located and officials from the Division of Family and Children were contacted to take custody of the child while deputies searched for the parents.

Deputies went knocking door to door seeking information where the child might live. Approximately 3 hours after the initial call, Sheriff Kenny Freeman was able to make contact with an individual that knew where the child belonged. Contact was made with the adults at the residence where the child resided.

According to deputies, While speaking to the adults, it was determined that the child’s mother’s boyfriend was supposed to be watching the child when the child left through the back door. Also during the investigation, it was determined that the boyfriend, Eddie Swindall III (age 30 of North Vernon), was in possession of prescription drugs that were not prescribed to him.

Eddie Swindall III was taken into custody and transported to the Jennings County Jail on the following charges: possession of controlled substance, neglect of a dependent, violation of legend drug, and possession of paraphernalia.