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Parents Held After Suspected Meth Lab Found in Car
01/05/10 - 08:54 AM

Jackson County Floridan

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Two Jackson County residents were arrested on drug-related charges and an allegation of child abuse, following an accident which occurred while they were arguing, according to police reports.

Authorities say David L. Kirkland, 23, and Sarah E. Kirkland, 28, were traveling in a vehicle with their child on Weddington Road in Sneads when the accident occurred.

The two were arguing when Sarah Kirkland climbed in the back seat and got the child out of the car seat “in an attempt to get David to slow down,” according to the complaints.

One investigator said Sarah Kirkland stated her husband had a handgun in his lap, and that as she leaned up to try and grab the gun from him, he began punching her in the back of her head with a closed fist.

She said David Kirkland was driving around 60 mph when he lost control of the car, which then hit an embankment.

She said she dropped the baby when he lost control of the car.

The child suffered minor injuries to the right side of her head and was taken to Jackson Hospital, where she was treated and released.

Officers responding to the crash reported they found several items and chemicals in the car, which were consistent with the manufacture of methamphetamine. According to investigators, Sarah Kirkland said she and David Kirkland “were aware of the methamphetamine lab that was located in the car.”

According to police, David Kirkland also acknowledged the presence of methamphetamine in the car. According to the report, he made his statement as officers were processing the car.

As he sat detained in a nearby patrol car, one officer reported, David Kirkland “began yelling out the window that the container I was holding contained methamphetamine ... Kirkland went on to say that he had thrown a container of Coleman camp fuel out in the ditch several feet from where the car was located, and that the blender in the trunk of the car was what they used to grind pseudoephedrine pills during the manufacturing of methamphetamine.”

Officers listed a number of items found during the incident, including Coleman fuel, pseudoephedrine cold medication, muratic acid, lithium batteries , suspected sodium hydroxide and ammonia nitrate, razor blades, coffee filters, hot plates, a butane torch, funnels, measuring cups, light bulbs, a syringe, empty bottles and other items described as drug paraphernalia.

Sarah Kirkland faces charges of attempted manufacture of a controlled substance, possession of listed chemicals, possession of a controlled substance and child abuse.

David Kirkland faces identical charges, as well as one count of domestic battery.