SARASOTA, Fla. -- A Manatee County couple is in jail after first responders found them passed out in an SUV with an infant and a toddler in the backseat last week.
According to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to a gas station off Fruitville Road just after 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, for the report of two possible overdoses. When deputies arrived they located the driver, 36-year-old William Ballard, and passenger, 32-year-old Delaney Crissinger, passed out in the front seat of a black SUV with the engine running.
Two children, ages 5 and 18 months, were secured in car seats in the backseat.
Deputies say Crissinger was holding a clear baggy containing .61 grams of methamphetamine and after a search of the vehicle, deputies recovered another nearly 2 grams of the drug, .38 grams of fentanyl and heroin, baggies, a scale, and spoon. A loaded syringe was also found on the floorboard next to a container of baby formula.
The couple was arrested and taken to the Sarasota County jail.
Ballard is charged with Child Neglect, Possession of Heroin with Intent to Sell, Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Sell, and Driving with a Suspended License. He is currently in custody on $30,120 bond. Crissinger also faces charges of Child Neglect, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Narcotics Equipment. During a first appearance hearing, the judge set her bond at $17,000.
