Parents Charged After Kids Test Positive for Meth, Las Cruces Police Say

Las Cruces Police have arrested and charged a couple after their children tested positive for methamphetamine, according to Las Cruces Police officials.

According to police, 27-year-old Mical L. Culpepper and his wife 25-year-old Bertha Alicia Ocon, were charged with one count each of negligent child abuse. LCPD officers arrested Culpepper and Ocon on Wednesday.

Police said that officers served a search warrant on Feb. 9 on the couple’s residence along the 2200 block of Bex Court in Las Cruces where evidence of illicit drug usage was uncovered. During police interviews with the couple, investigators learned that Culpepper and Ocon both smoke methamphetamine and allowed their friends to use drugs inside their apartment, according to police.

Officials say Culpepper has subsequently tested positive for methamphetamine, codeine, morphine and heroin.

Police said Ocon and their 3-year and 11-month old children tested positive for methamphetamine. All three of the couple’s children have been living with other relatives.

Culpepper and Ocon are being held at the Dona Ana County Detention Center with cash bonds set at $10,000 each.