By Jeff Lehr
jlehr@joplinglobe.com
NEOSHO, Mo. — The Newton County prosecutor’s office has dropped charges against a Granby couple who were accused last year of regularly smoking marijuana with a state social worker in their foster home.
Misdemeanor charges of child endangerment that had been filed against Wayne Anthony O’Neal Sr., 32, and Christel J. O’Neal, 30, were dropped Tuesday, according to Assistant Prosecutor Bill Dobbs.
“The (charges) were dismissed because they had met all the expectations with the juvenile court with regard to their own children, and their children had been returned to them,” Dobbs said.
Five foster children and the O’Neals’ two children were removed from their care in Granby in August of last year after a 17-year-old foster girl who had lived in their home alleged to a Newton County sheriff’s deputy that marijuana was used by the O’Neals and their caseworker, Nova Propes, 45.
The girl told the deputy that on several in-home visits by Propes, the social worker would accompany the foster parents into their bedroom, and the smell of marijuana would permeate the house. She also said she spotted marijuana beneath her foster parents’ bed, on a night stand and in a dresser drawer.
Officers who served a search warrant at the home reportedly turned up drug paraphernalia. The O’Neals allegedly admitted smoking marijuana regularly and on several occasions with Propes, according to a probable-cause affidavit.
The three adults were charged with two counts each of second-degree child endangerment.
A bench trial was held April 14 in the Associate Division of Newton County Circuit Court in Propes’ case. The state presented its evidence, and the defense chose not to present any evidence, according to court records. Judge Gregory Stremel suspended the trial at that point without coming to a decision in order to give both sides an opportunity to file briefs.
A hearing in Propes’ case was scheduled this past week but was continued at defense attorney Phil Glades’ request.
Dobbs acknowledged that part of the reason charges against the O’Neals were dropped was that they had cooperated fully with the investigation. He said they also completed all counseling and drug-use intervention programs to which they had been referred through juvenile court.
Status
The O’Neals are no longer serving as foster parents, and Nova Propes is no longer employed as a foster-child caseworker, officials said.
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