911 call from boy, 3, leads to child neglect, drug charges

OCEAN SPRINGS, MS (WLOX) - A 911 call from a 3-year-old boy led to the arrest of his mother and three men Monday afternoon in Ocean Springs.

Ocean Springs police Detective Capt. William Jackson said officers responded to the Economy Inn on Bienville Boulevard around 2:15 p.m. after the 3-year-old called police and said he couldn't wake up his mom.

Jackson said the child was unable to give a room number, but a responding officer was able to determine the call came from room 105.

Jackson said Patrol Officer Dylan Wooley went in to the room and found 35-year-old Timothy Fairbanks, of Saucier, sitting by the door. Police say Fairbanks appeared to be under the influence and told Wooley there were three other people in the room.

Wooley made his way into the room to check on the child. That's where he found the boy's mother, 26-year-old Ashley Nicole McDaniel, and Kristopher Wales, both of Ocean Springs. Dustin D. Yates, 32, of Lucedale was also inside.

Jackson said all three of the adults were asleep.

Authorities say Wooley woke McDaniel up, and she gave officers consent to search the room. That's when police found nearly five grams of marijuana, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Jackson said the Department of Human Services took custody of the child, who appeared healthy.

McDaniel was charged with child neglect and possession of marijuana with a total bond of $1,060.

Fairbanks was charged with possession of a controlled substance with a $460 bond.

Wales was charged with possession of a controlled substance with a $430 bond.

Yates was charged with possession of paraphernalia and also had an outstanding warrant with the Pascagoula Police Department.

All three suspects were booked into the Ocean Springs Municipal Jail.

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