South Bend Couple Leaves Children Unattended at Motel During Night Out

SOUTH BEND, IN -  This morning, Saturday, July 19,  at approximately 1:10 a.m. Indiana State Police Trooper Mick Dockery initiated a traffic stop on a 1998 Nissan passenger car for a traffic violation near Twyckenham and Fox Street in South Bend, IN.  During the stop, Trooper Dockery, a drug canine handler, observed several indicators of possible illegal drug activity. This led Trooper Dockery to conduct an exterior search of the Nissan utilizing his certified narcotics detection dog, Hondo. The police dog alerted to the possible presence of illegal narcotics in the car. 

A search of the vehicle and its occupants’ was conducted. Two passengers, Lionel D Murphy, 24, and Kathy Nettavong 23, both of South Bend, were allegedly found to possess marijuana. Further investigation by Trooper Dockery revealed that the couple had purportedly left their three children ages four years, two years, and 18 months unattended at the South Bend Motel located at 3420 S. Michigan Street in South Bend, IN. Trooper Dockery contacted the South Bend Police Department who dispatched officers to the motel where they located the children unharmed and unattended in a room at the motel. The children were released to the care of child protective services. 

Murphy and Nettavong were arrested and incarcerated at the Saint Joseph’s County Jail to face charges for possession of marijuana and three counts for neglect of a dependent. Nettavong faces an additional charge for public intoxication and Murphy faces an additional charge for reckless possession of drug paraphernalia. The driver of the Nissan was issued a written warning for the traffic violation and released. 

Arrested and charges; 

Lionel D Murphy, 24, 4115 Coral, South Bend, IN 46614

• Neglect of Dependent (3 Counts), Class D Felony, I.C. 35-46-1-4
• Felony Possession of Marijuana, Class D Felony, I.C. 35-48-4-11
• Reckless Possession of Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor, I.C. 35-48-4-8.3

Kathy Nettavong, 23, 4402 W Western Apt. B2, South Bend, IN 46619

• Neglect of Dependent (3 Counts), Class D Felony, I.C. 35-46-1-4
• Possession of Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor, I.C. 35-48-4-11
• Public Intoxication, Class B Misdemeanor, I.C. 7.1-5-1-3

Technorati Tags: News State Crime / Police Family Indiana State Police - ISP Kathy Nettavong Lionel D Murphy Mick Dockery