Pubdate: Tue, 29 Oct 2002
Source: Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO)
Copyright: 2002, Denver Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.rockymountainnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/371
Author: Hector Gutierrez, Rocky Mountain News
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/women.htm (Women)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

COPS FIND BABY SAFE AFTER MOM ARRESTED

A baby missing after her mother was arrested Monday for allegedly 
manufacturing methamphetamine was found safe in a Northglenn home.

The 9-month-old girl was found about 5:30 p.m. at the home of family 
friends, capping a frantic, eight-hour search.

Lt. Lori Moriarty, a North Metro Drug Task Force spokeswoman, said 
investigators believe the family was baby-sitting and not involved in any 
illegal drug activity.

The little girl was taken to Children's Hospital, where she was being 
evaluated.

The baby's mother refused to cooperate with investigators in finding the 
child, Moriarty said.

"The mom would not tell us where she was," the lieutenant said. "We were 
just digging through everything."

Earlier Monday, task force investigators arrested four adults at two homes, 
including the tot's mother, Heather Waterhouse, 22.

Investigators recovered methamphetamine from both homes, along with 
evidence that the occupants were manufacturing the illegal drug, Moriarty said.

The case began about 9:45 a.m. Monday when an Adams County sheriff's SWAT 
team entered a house in the 100 block of East 81st Street south of 
Thornton, sheriff's Sgt. Michael McIntosh said.

Detectives arrested Waterhouse and two children were taken into protective 
custody.

One, a 4-year-old boy, is Waterhouse's son, and the other child, who is 8, 
is her niece. Detectives couldn't find the infant, however.

"She was the one we were really concerned about," Moriarty said.

As task force members looked for the baby, they also served a second 
warrant at another house, 7714 Sherman St., about a quarter-mile from the 
first raid, authorities said. Some of the information about another meth 
lab at the second home allegedly was provided by Waterhouse's young son, 
Moriarty said.

Detectives arrested James McVickers, 34, and Jennifer Dowdey, 28. 
Authorities also arrested another woman, Adele Oliver, 50, of Westminster.

Moriarty said investigators think that Oliver was part of the operation to 
help the alleged narcotics manufacturers dump hazardous waste into trash 
bins at the Conifer Landing apartments.
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