By Theresa Armstrong

Reporter

tdunn@gcnewsgazette.com

Four children were removed from a house near Clarkson after Grayson County Deputy Sheriffs discovered meth lab activities.

According to a report by the Greater Hardin County Drug Task Force, while attempting to execute a warrant, Grayson County Deputy Sheriff Dave Colston and Clarkson Police Chief Jeff King came across what appeared to be a meth lab this past Sunday afternoon around 1 p.m.

The police officers arrived at 541 North Patterson Street and were attempting to locate Ronald Lee Haycraft. King went to the front door and Colston went around to the back of the house, reported Kentucky State Trooper Davy Norris.

“When Dave went around to the back of the house he observed enough of the ingredients to lead officers to believe the individuals there were manufacturing methamphetamine,” reported Greater Hardin County Task Force Sergeant Billy Edwards.

Sheriff Rick Clemons and state police were then contacted along with the task force. Clemons, Deputy Robert Jackson, Trooper Norris along Edwards and Officer Todd Cave arrived at the scene to assist police.

“I responded to the scene and investigation led to Ronald Lee Haycraft and Justin Proctor being placed under arrest,” added Edwards.

Both were charged with manufacturing meth. Haycraft was additionally charged with non-support and license to be posession. Proctor was also charged with third degree criminal trespassing.

Both men remain incarcerated at the Grayson County Detention Center. Haycraft’s bond has been set for $25,907.15 cash, whereas Procter’s bond is set at $25,000 cash.

Social Services removed three toddlers and a 10-year-old was released to her mother.

”I transported a set of nine-month-old twins and a two-year-old sibling to the hospital for treatment at the request of Social Services,” reported Sheriff Rick Clemons.

“You could smell the chemicals in the house and the children were inside, “ reported Norris.

“The 10-year-old, who was a half sibling to the other three children, was released to her mother who was not at the residence on North Patterson Street.

“The social worker did tell the mom that the child needed to be taken to the hospital,” added Norris. “Both parents of the younger children were at the home at the time of the arrest.”

The task force cleaned up the scene and removed the ingredients.

The investigation remains ongoing and further arrests may be made after the evidence is presented to the Grayson County Grand Jury.

Anyone with information on illegal activity may anonymously contact the Grayson County Sheriff’s Department tip line at (270) 200-2222.