Man Charged With Endangering Children in Meth House, Police Say

A man is charged with endangering his children after police found meth and meth ingredients in his home along with three unsupervised children ages 9 and under.

David Hazelip, 31, of the 2200 block of Pecan Drive in Mehlville, was charged Friday with first-degree child endangerment.

St. Louis County Police said an officer investigating a theft at a nearby convenience store had recognized Hazelip on video surveillance at the store.

An officer went to Hazelip’s home and found three children ages 9, 8 and 5 in the house, according to a court document. The officer saw stolen property in the home and seized it, police said.

The officer reported that he smelled a strong odor of spray paint and kerosene throughout the house and said the residence had squalid, unsanitary conditions throughout the home.

The officer continued investigating and speaking to the children. According to a court document, one child indicated his father’s room and said, “That’s my Dad’s room. He makes dope in his one-pots.”

The officer found numerous pills and other drug paraphernalia in the room, and found a bottle containing pink liquid that tested positive for methamphetamine.

Hazelip is being held in the St. Louis County Justice Center. Bail was set at $75,000 cash only.

For more crime information on Mehlville-Oakville Patch, see the following articles:

• Are You Living In a Former Meth House?