A 30-year-old Joplin man waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday on charges that he and his girlfriend were cooking methamphetamine inside their home about five months ago, and endangering the life and health of their child.
Scott A. Wawra waived the hearing in Jasper County Circuit Court in Joplin, and was ordered bound over for trial on charges of manufacturing a controlled substance and first-degree child endangerment. Associate Judge Richard Copeland set March 23 as the date for Wawra’s initial appearance in a trial division of the court.
A probable-cause affidavit filed by a Jasper County sheriff’s deputy states that deputies on Oct. 2 went to the home of Wawra and Kimberley Phillips, 24, at 411 N. Mineral Ave., and encountered a strong chemical odor associated with meth manufacturing coming from the house.
Phillips allegedly was spotted walking out of the house with a plastic tub that later was searched and found to contain red phosphorus, iodine crystals, bottles of Heet, glass flasks and Pyrex dishes. A search of the house and a vehicle reportedly turned up several other items associated with the manufacture of meth.
The child was discovered asleep in the kitchen, next to a tub containing glass bottles of chemicals, tubing, flasks, a funnel, coffee filters and a coffee grinder with cold-pill residue, according to the affidavit. Above the child on a counter were a flask and two jars containing unknown chemical liquids, and a gas torch, the affidavit states.
In the vehicle parked at the house, deputies reportedly found a book bag containing several hundred cold pills, red phosphorus and iodine crystals.
Phillips was charged with possession of a controlled substance as well as manufacturing meth and child endangerment. She has yet to have a preliminary hearing.
