Casper Man Arrested for Child Endangerment, Methamphetamine
A Casper man is facing multiple child endangerment charges after he allegedly hid from police in a crawl space with a six-year-old.
Melvin Long, 34, was arrested on recommended charges of child endangerment-methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, and child endangerment.
According to court records, a Casper police officer was called to a residence in the 1200 block of South Melrose after receiving a report of Long being under the influence of a controlled substance inside a residence with the child.
The officer knocked on the building's door but no one appeared to be home.
About an hour later the officer drove by the residence again and noted two vehicles parked in the driveway. The officer contacted someone inside the residence who said it had been broken into.
The person inside the residence gave police permission to search for Long, but followed the officer around and appeared to be witholding information.
The officer left the residence for a short time before returning to the residence. A person at the residence eventually told the officer that Long was in the building's crawl space. After calling for backup, the officer ordered Long to exit the crawl space which he did after about 15 minutes. A six-year-old was also in the crawl space with Long.
During an interview with police, the six-year-old said that Long made him go into the crawl space to hide. Police also found several nails on the ground and that there were many places even a six-year-old could not stand up. A sump pump with exposed wiring was also in the crawl space.
Police also found foil with burnt methamphetamine residue in the residence.
Long was arrested and transported to the Natrona County Detention Center without incident.