HORSESHOE BEND, Ark. – A Horseshoe Bend couple was arrested Thursday on felony charges of endangering the welfare of minors following a drug investigation that began in late September, according to the Izard County Sheriff’s Office.
Chad Griffith, 41, and Danielle Griffith, 36, each face two counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, a Class D felony. The arrests stem from a Sept. 30 incident in Melbourne, where deputies found the couple and two minor children sleeping in a tent on top of their vehicle outside a local business.
Investigators reported that Chad Griffith, an unregistered sex offender, was in possession of methamphetamine, firearms, and drug paraphernalia at the scene. He was arrested for failure to register as a sex offender and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Danielle Griffith was arrested that day for possession of drug paraphernalia, and the Department of Human Services was notified.
On Oct. 30, authorities learned that one of the children tested positive for methamphetamine, prompting the additional child endangerment charges.
The Griffiths were taken into custody Thursday afternoon and later released on $5,000 bond each. The investigation remains ongoing.
