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Cops: Man overdoses in front of kids in CCA parking lot
By joe gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
A Columbiana County couple faces three counts each of child endangering after police found the father passed out in the parking lot of Community Corrections Association on Tuesday afternoon from a drug overdose.
Andrea McFarland, 28, and Eric McFarland, 34, of New Waterford, also face a count of possessing drug abuse instruments, and Amanda McFarland faces an additional charge of permitting drug abuse.
Eric McFarland was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center to be treated after he was found lying on the pavement next to his car, and was arraigned on the drug charge Wednesday.
City Prosecutor Dana Lantz said McFarland and his wife will be charged with child endangering once investigators confirm the identity of the children who were with them.
Andrea McFarland was taken to the Mahoning County jail and released on summons but failed to show up for her arraignment Wednesday morning.
A warrant was issued for her arrest by Magistrate Anthony Sertick.
Reports said officers were called to the 1740 Market St. parking lot about 2 p.m. for a report of a man who may have overdosed in a car.
When they arrived, they found Eric McFarland on the pavement next to the car, reports said.
Andrea McFarland went into the building and asked them to call for help and she took her three children inside with her, reports said.
As ambulance workers treated Eric McFarland, police searched the car and found a needle and spoon inside, reports said.
Reports also said the three children were dirty and still in their pajamas.
Mahoning County Children Services workers were called to the scene.
The couple has an open case with Columbiana County Children Services and that agency was contacted as well before the children were released to a grandparent, reports said.
During his arraignment, Eric McFarland told Sertick he was a resident at CCA.
Court records show in June he was sentenced to five years’ probation in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court by Judge R. Scott Krichbaum on a charge of aggravated burglary and was ordered to enroll and complete a residential drug treatment program.
He pleaded not guilty to the drug charge and was given a $5,000 bond.
A condition of the bond is he must return to CCA if he manages to be released from the jail.