How stupid can you be? 10 years of being a cop, I have never seen a 2-year-old in a back of a car and her parents are smoking with her. >> Mom, he's so sorry. >> I want the next half hour to be absolutely hell for you. >> I ruined her life, sir. I'm so scared. I'm going to go to jail. >> Get off the double. Get off the demons. >> On February 25th, 2025, officers conducted a traffic stop after noticing a vehicle failing to use its turn signal. Further investigation revealed the driver was using a controlled substance with a young family member in the back seat. >> Hey there. Good evening. Hey. >> No, you're you're good. You go ahead. Hey, my name is Deputy McDade. Hamilton County Sheriff's Office at this stage. You are being audio video record. I'm well, thank you. The reason why I stopped this you did use your turn signal coming in, but when you made your left hand change, you forgot to use your turn signal there. >> Okay. >> Okay. Where have you come from tonight? You've been working or >> uh No, we were coming to get dinner. >> Are you with uh Young? >> Oh, yes. This is my friend and that's my daughter back there. >> Is this your vehicle? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Do you have your registration as well? >> Glove box. >> What type of pills do you have in there? Is that prescription there? >> Uh yeah, those are hers. >> Okay. Okay. We'll grab that in a moment if you guys don't mind stepping out of the vehicle at the moment. What's in the vehicle that shouldn't be? Do you mind stepping out of the vehicle for me? Please come in the back of my vehicle for me. >> Leave everything in the car for me. Thank you. Is your kid? >> No, that's yours. >> Okay. Keep your hands out your pockets. Step back here for me. >> Hang on. We'll explain everything. Do you have anything on that's going to harm me or yourself? >> No. Do you mind me patting you down for anything? >> Yeah, go for it. >> You have no any weapons or anything like that? Yeah. Just come back in front of my vehicle for me. >> My daughter. I don't want to go too far. >> No, I'll stay right here. I just want to keep an eye going to make sure I'm going to pat down. Okay. Just make sure you have some keys in my pocket. >> Yeah, that's fine. Hang out there for a second. Okay. Pay attention to me. Okay. This is going to be a Miranda warning. Okay. Do you understand these rights? >> Yes. Yes. >> These rights in mind if you want to answer any questions? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Good. Put her in handcuffs. You too. >> What? >> Hands behind your back. Who can come pick up your kid? >> I have to puff someone. >> Okay. >> Why Why are we getting arrested? >> We'll tell you. So, you're I get it. It's legal in almost all the states. We're not out here being the police, but we can smell it a mile away. And as we get up closer to your car, you put it out right beside us. You have an infant in your car. Do you understand that? Yes, I do. >> How stupid can you be? >> You're right. >> That is insane. You're right. >> The amount of disappointment in you right now is through the roof for me right now. including you that you let her do it or if you were doing it yourself. What do you think a judge or a jury was going to think about? How old are you? >> 29. >> 29. How do you feel about a judge or a jury and we put charges against you for smoking in front of a 2-year-old? >> You're right. >> How do you think they're going to feel about that? >> Not well. Can I call >> No, you can't call anyone. Stop talking. I'm talking. This is insanity. You're right. 10 years of being a cop, I have never seen a 2-year-old in a back of a car and her parents are smoking with her. Insane. >> You're right. >> Who can come pick up your kid? >> My sister. Her boyfriend will have to come if they're available. Um, >> where they live? >> In Anderson. I need my phone. I don't have their phone numbers memorized. >> Is this something you do every day? >> No, sir. I don't typically smoke around her. >> Were you smoking in front of her? Huh? >> No. >> I've seen a lot of up. Smoking in front of a 2-year-old with the windows up. Stupid. I'm going to walk away for a second. I can't even do my job because your daughter's in the You're in handcuffs. You don't seem upset. >> I'm very upset, sir. I >> can't even do my job right because her parent can't come get her. How am I supposed to search your car when there's a 2-year-old in the in in the back of the car? >> Sir, I need to call her. I need to call. >> This is your phone? >> Yes, sir. >> Yeah. And he Okay, we're going to ask someone to come pick her up. Okay. >> Okay. Jessica, >> what >> is John home? >> I just really need you to come get her. I'm going to bed. >> How far? >> I would say probably 30 to 35 minutes. >> Okay. >> You guys have a protective order? >> Yeah, it's complicated. Sir, >> are you guys a couple or what? >> Not currently. I'm currently pending charges for a battery >> against her. >> Yes, sir. >> Who's the protected party? >> She is. >> How old is your daughter? >> She's two. >> I love you. Mommy's so sorry. Honest to God, I think this is going to be the worst punishment you can get other than uh what I mean, whatever the judge gives you, that's whatever. But I want the next half hour to be absolutely hell for you, knowing that you're >> I I Well, that's where I want it at if I'm being honest with you. You're standing out. It's like a It's like a movie. You're standing out in the rain handcuffed due to your actions. >> I'm so sorry. Oh my god. I ruined her life. I thought I up when I got the battery charge. I've reallyed up now. She doesn't deserve this. She didn't ask be here. >> Is this your first kid? >> It's my only kid. >> Well, here's the deal. You made a mistake tonight and the first thing that you did was you already know that you made a mistake. That's the first thing of becoming a better person is you know you made a mistake. >> You have no idea, sir. >> No, I have an idea. You made a mistake. You realize you made a mistake. >> Her dad's going to take her for me to take care of it. Maybe for a year or 6 months, four months. You got to step up. My mom raised me. I didn't have a dad. >> She's the best thing that's ever happened. >> Well, you got to treat her like that from here on out. >> I'm going to jail for a long time, sir. >> No, you're not. You'll probably be out by the end of the night. >> I violated a protective order, sir. >> Well, Madison County is not going to know that until a week from now. >> And then I'm going to jail again. >> If they revoke your bond, >> and it wasn't on bond. I was on O. >> Okay. of slavery folk here at PTR. >> She's not going to get punished for breaking the protective order, right? >> There's no Indiana laws that she broke. >> I didn't think so. I was trying to make sure I don't want her to get in trouble for that. >> The protection order has been served. So, they're not supposed to be hanging out. >> So, she to protect the party. >> Responded in that. Okay. So, you're violating your order. >> Yeah. So, it'll be invasion of privacy. >> Invasion of privacy plus >> plus whatever you got in the car. >> Yeah. In there. Okay. >> I promise I'm not trying to run away. I'm just really cool cuz I'm trying to keep my body moving. >> No, I get it. And I'm not doubting anyone's physical abilities, but you are in handcuffs and I'm not. >> Yeah, I'm trust me. I'm not that physically capable. I'm just really freaking gold. >> As you know, you try to run away. Most likely a felony charge on top. >> Yeah. No, I'm not. My brother. No, I'm good. >> How'd you find the adjustment from having no kids to having a kid? >> Yeah, it was not easy. Thankfully, I was living with my sister at the time, so help me a little bit. We moved out when she was 4 months old, though. It was a lot to handle by myself, to be honest. I wouldn't change a single thing. I'm so sorry, baby. I love you. >> What's today? >> Today's Saturday. >> Oh, so we just need until at least Monday. >> Who says you're going? Let's hang out for a sec. We'll let you know everything in a moment. >> Sir, you My daughter is about to leave my site. I don't think you understand that that doesn't happen unless I work. I am stressed. >> I'm going to ask you one time. >> Okay. >> Okay. Is there anything illegal in this car? >> Yes, sir. >> Like I told you from the beginning, I was pretty pissed off at you. I've calmed down. Okay. >> Yes, sir. >> The first thing that we need you to do is understand that you made a mistake, right? Yes, sir. >> You already did that for us. >> A very dumb mistake. I don't want to ruin your life. >> No, I know you didn't ruin anyone's life. Let me tell you this. You're on the right track. And honesty goes a long way with us. Okay. Now's the time to tell me what's illegal inside this car. Cuz I am not going to waste his time. And I'm not going to waste my time. What's illegal inside the car? >> Sir, I'm so scared. I'm going to go to jail. >> I'll tell you right now, we're typing up that report tonight. What's going to look better? Okay, I just want you to do this. I just want you to picture it. We're typing up that report tonight and Elizabeth, you go by best or Elizabeth, >> please. >> Liz said there was nothing illegal in the car. Okay, just picture that. I take my K9 out of out of the back of my car. Soon as you get done saying that and I put it inside that car and he finds what's going to look better, that scenario or Liz said she made a mistake. Liz tells me where. >> I'm going to find them. >> I know you're going to find them. >> Okay, so go ahead. >> There is in the car. >> Okay. And there is in the car. >> Where's the roads at? >> I cannot attest to that. >> Where would they have been at? >> On justice of person. At last I was aware. >> Okay. Well, let me tell you this. Where were you guys coming from tonight? >> We came from Anderson. >> You were coming from Anderson? >> Yes, sir. >> What way did you take to get here? >> 32. I took I think it's like State Road 38 or something and then up 900 West and 32. When you caught us, we were circling back around to go to Hies. >> You know, I've been talking to her. >> Yes, sir. >> Do you want to keep that story? >> Was that the way we came from? I'm just asking you a simple question. I've been doing this for a long time. I've been absent from your conversation for probably what 10, 15 minutes investigating. Is that the story you want to keep? I'll give you a minute and 30 seconds to decide if that's the story you want to keep and then we'll go from there. But once again, you got to start somewhere. And if you haven't been a very honest person or a very good Hold on, please. I'm not calling you not honest. I'm just putting this into your head. If [clears throat] you haven't been a very honest person or a very good person for your entire life, I'm not saying that that you're not. But tonight, I promise you, >> she'll help you God. Tonight is the night you have to let it all out. >> I'm trying to remember what direction we came from, but we came from Henderson. Um, >> but where did you go? >> Where did we go? >> Right. Do you know where Applebee's is at? I do. >> Applebees is right up here. >> Uh-huh. >> Mhm. We took 37 and >> 37. >> I know you were on 37 cuz that's where we saw you. Anderson would not have you take 37 to get here. >> No, sir. >> I know it wouldn't. >> No, sir. We came off of 32. I thought that's what I >> 32 is right here. >> Yes, sir. Okay. I thought that was this road. I'm really bad with directions. >> 32 is right here. It would have you off 32 or 38? >> I'm not trying. Um I GPSed our way here. >> Um it took us on 32. I thought this was 32. That's why I was pointing over there. >> Um we took so we took 38th Street from Anderson. >> Okay. and whatever that leads up to from 900 West up to 32. >> Once again, I appreciate your honesty. We're starting off right. >> I wasn't trying to be dishonest. >> Let me ask you this. Let me ask you this. In the relationship with us stopping you, >> how many seconds prior or andor minutes did you know for your girl back there to have the pills on her? To your knowledge, she still has them on her or did you watch her put her in her pants pocket? >> No, she was carrying them during her drive as far as I'm aware. >> Okay. Um, I don't know what I'm saying. >> Okay. >> I didn't ask her to like hold them for me or anything. Like that's not what's happening. >> Okay, we're off to a good start. I like that for you. Didn't Doesn't it feel good to just be honest? >> Yeah, I'm typically an honest person. I was scared when you guys pulled us out. >> I know you are. >> I'm already in trouble. Me and Justice have a protective. I was already >> But hey, I'll tell you what. You believe Do you believe in the upper power? Do you believe in God? >> I believe that something is Yeah, I believe something. He put you in this situation tonight. >> You're right. >> He did. He wants you to be better. >> You're right. >> And him and I are his servants making you better. >> You're right. >> You know what I mean? >> Absolutely right. >> Tonight is the last night you around with >> or pills or anything tonight. Let it be tonight. >> I was already thinking about quitting and it >> this is what you needed because you weren't going to quit without us. >> You're right. You're absolutely right, sir. >> Your your your life is spiraling. >> You're right. It is downhill fast. Yep. >> And I'm watching it do it. >> You feel better. You feel good. I know you're not feeling like good mentally. >> No. >> But it's a start. Pick up that Bible when you go when you when you get to when you get to the jail. It's going to be the one of the only things that you're going to get. Start reading tonight. >> And hopefully he gets you better. Okay. The first thing you got to do is get off the devil. Get off the demons at I know people always say it's legal. It's legal here. It's legal there. But what was the first you ever did in your life? >> Okay. >> Sorry. I don't typically do. >> I understand. I don't want to punish her for more. They're not almost >> Okay. But you didn't see her throw them or anything like that before the stop? >> I don't think so, sir. I really don't know where they would be. Um, there is a grinder in the car, too. >> What about the big old >> I don't remember where it was put out. When we spotted you, we had switched hands. She said she wasn't smoking. She had >> Okay. So, did you put it out or did she put it out? >> She put it off, I believe. Maybe somewhere in the car. >> Okay. Now, correct me if I'm wrong. Remind you, my car is always recording 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I want you to realize you're doing the right thing tonight. Okay? Hang tight with him. Hopefully, this is one of these cars or you're >> I don't feel like I'm doing the right thing, sir. >> You are. >> You are. Look at your daughter when you're talking about this. You're doing the right thing. Hey, what's your name? I'm on my 10th year of being a law enforcement officer. Seven of them I did. I know that there's something else on you. I want to make something very clear here. I gave you that one opportunity. Remember where would the be at? I'll tell you what. I'm going to do something that's kind of unorthodox in policing. I'm going to give you a minute to a minute 30 seconds to get your story straight. Underneath her seat, the driver's seat. What are they in? >> Well, she's saying it's on your person. >> Where was the last place you saw him? >> You just dropped him between his seat. I saw you do it. >> No, I didn't. >> You did. No, I didn't. >> I saw you dropping between the seat. >> Look, I swear. No, I didn't. Okay, but you can have it. >> No, we I am going to look. >> Okay, we got a seat belt on. >> Yeah. >> Stand right there. >> There is no >> Okay, so kind of one thing that we do like we don't really play around a whole lot here. You know what he's doing right now? He's typing a search for your person. We're done playing games. >> I don't have them. >> Okay. >> I didn't drop any edge of her seat. >> The edge of her seat. the driver's seat. She got two. I got two. >> So, if you didn't drop anything, what was that weird hand movement you did right before >> showing you motion moves? What where it would be at? >> So, you got two, she's got two. Where's your two >> in the baggie that she has? Innocent. >> And if we request charges on you tonight and you go to jail and they're on your person, do you realize that's a level five felony? >> Yes. >> Okay. Nothing? >> No. >> Okay. That was just a very odd hand movement at that at that second. >> I mean, yes, >> you can search me. I I right, >> but I've already I've already read you hurdle and you said no, you don't want me to. >> I mean, I don't want to be accused of something I don't die. You know what I mean? Like, >> but there's not going to be a difference, right? Like, if I search you right now and find something versus getting a search warrant and doing a more in-depth search, having a female officer come out here. I mean, you've already talked to me about you've had a problem with painkillers, okay? And I've been around people who use too. Okay. You're I I get that you're saying that you have the flu perhaps, but people who start getting into products start getting weakly. They get start sickly, especially when they start getting withdrawals, too. So, I have nice on the car, but I haven't eaten. >> So, show me on his driver's seat where it would be at. Show right there for me. >> Somewhere in the seat. >> What seat? Like where at? You just pointed it here. here. >> Like that. >> Okay. So, like back behind here somewhere, but on that side. >> So, here. >> I'm not going to find anything on your side. Will you guys split the difference this evening? >> This is a long 20 minutes. Are we sure they're coming? >> I don't know. We have to ask her. >> I'm so sorry, babe. >> I know you won't. Mama, make sure you get a big hug and kiss before we go anywhere. Might be a little wet, though. Does she have clothes? >> No. So, my sister has the key to my house, >> but she's just wearing that until she gets signed. >> She's got a coat in there. Two actual coats. There's a jacket. I'm not irresponsible. >> No, no. I'm just saying. >> Obviously, I'm irresponsible, but not typically. I'm sitting here up my daughter's life for one. Promise I wouldn't be anything like my parents. And now I'm worse. I was the only person in my family. There's eight of us. There's six kids, two my mom and dad, my dad's pass, whatever. But eight of us, and I the only one that hadn't been to jail until December. >> I just keep doing it. I just keep making it worse. And I know the universe is like telling me to stay away from this girl, but she's like the love of my life and it's stupid. >> This one? >> Yes. Now I'm going to go to jail for three months to for violating protective order. >> Well, you know, with these stuff, they can be dropped, right, in court, so you have to be patient. >> Yeah, but >> but March was so far away. >> Not now. Did you have another court date for us? >> April. >> You're like a month and a half away. Not that long. Especially if he's the love of your lives. >> Yeah. I think this may have done us in though. Especially since I don't know what she said to that cop. Hi, baby. >> I'm so sorry, man. I should have left my girl alone. I knew better. >> So, under the Miranda, you understood your rights, right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. You want to answer any other questions? >> What you got for me? >> Is that a yes or a no? >> Yes, sir. >> Yes. Okay. So, you know there was a protection order between you two? >> Yes, sir. >> Were you the respondant? >> Yes, sir. >> She's a petitioner. >> Yes, sir. >> And did you know you violated that order? >> Yes, sir. >> Being with her tonight? You're not meant to be around her? >> Yes, sir. Hey Liz, it's just a long 20 minutes. Where are they at? >> That's what I I was asking if we could call them again cuz there was an exact address. I think he may have gotten confused and lost. Hey, where are you? >> I've literally like driven through downtown Nolesville. >> No, we're not in downtown Novaville. No, YOU GOT TO COME BACK. >> I'M SORRY. I'm trying my best to get there. I really am. >> Yeah, we appreciate you, man. Put on top of your head for me. Top of your head. Sleep in there for a sec. That's the best I can do for you. Okay. You're not very flexible. She is saying that you talked to was in the seat. >> Sir, I did not even have them right at the session. They in her cigarette box as far as I'm aware. Like I they weren't mine. >> Okay. >> Do you understand? One second. >> I need you to understand. >> No, hold on. Don't talk. Don't talk. One second. This is probably going to be one of the most important steps in the case >> to prove who these are. >> So, wherever we find these, she's saying it's in your seat. You're saying it's in the cigarette pack. >> So, I >> So, it's going to be very important to where we find these Cuz if wherever we find them and whoever story >> she said I put them under the seat. >> Yes, that's what she said. >> They're not even mine. She is saying that >> I'm not worried about whose is who. >> Investigation. I did not put them under the seat. I haven't had them on my person. I have the I lit a cigarette. She told me she hit the >> Okay, >> that's all I'm aware of. I told you before I could not attest to their location and I sincerely meant that. I >> Okay, >> have no idea. They're in the [ __ ] I don't know where because I am not the one that had them. >> Okay. >> I know where my grinder is. >> Where's that? >> It's in a crown oil bag in the glove box, but that I only knew where that was because she we opened it to try to get my registration for you. >> A grinder is not illegal in the state of Indiana. >> No, I know. I'm just saying. Um I don't even know where the I don't know if it's in that bag or not. Like I didn't have it. She rolled that and everything. >> We're going to wait for one more guy to get here. He's going to stay with you and then we're going to get the car rolling. I'm just saying if I find them in your seat, it's they're yours by according to the state of Indiana. >> She'll go down. >> Okay. So, you didn't once again you didn't see her do anything prior to that? >> No, I don't know where they are. I She had them. >> Okay. >> Oh my god. Oh my f dude. What the >> This is what I saw right off the rip. >> I saw them. Okay. >> Okay. So, just use that one. And then once you take that out, pour out the drink on the sidewalk. Just make sure there's nothing else in there. >> Nope. >> What are you going to put in there? >> Passenger side. >> Yeah. >> Where'd you find that? >> Tucked in here. >> Okay. >> So, that's passenger side there. Let me pull this forward. >> We're doing good work. >> Okay. This is the You do more as an idea. Is that a hydro? >> I don't know. It appears to be. >> Okay. >> Hey, Elizabeth. Just you want to listen to me for a sec? >> Yes, sir. >> They said if no one told you. Okay. At this stage, you are on the arrest for possession of a control substance. Possession of obstructing. Okay. >> Yeah. Invasion of privacy. My partner saw you trying to put out that there in the car. So, do you understand what you're being charged with? >> Not the obstructing too much. The invasion of privacy. Yes. >> Okay. We'll explain that in a moment. We'll explain that in a moment. Okay. So, if no one's told you, okay, at this stage, you are under arrest of possession of a controlled substance, possession of Okay. You had a 2-year-old in the back of the vehicle. Do you understand what I'm telling you? >> She's going to jail. >> He had a a question about the obstruction. >> Yeah. Why are you charging me with >> Because someone thought it'd be a bright idea to try to destroy evidence. Let's just call it how it is. We found a uh inside of your fountain pop. That's >> That wasn't my fountain pop. It's hers. >> Okay. >> It that was not my sort of >> We'll let the judge and the jury and the prosecutors decide that. Okay. I will say this. You do have this going for you. It's one solid charge at this point. So like you don't have like that obstruction same level as basically everything else. Okay. A prosecutor or a judge or a defense attorney or something like that can use that as a bargaining tool. But as of right now, I think we have enough for obstruction if they don't decide to charge you with that. It's ultimately it's not up to us. >> All of it is a misdemeanor. >> So you have a level six felony and then some misdemeanor to tack on. But like I said, it's not the end of the world. These charges, I promise you, are not the end of the world for you. >> From your experience, >> will I do jail time? >> Will you do jail time? So, this is a uh majority of your crimes are a victimless crime. We do have the victim of your daughter tonight. I can't say for certain, but I don't think you have a huge criminal record, but like I said, you have to believe in the big Lord. You got to start reading that Bible first thing. That's going to be the first thing they give you. If you want to be a better person, you got to pick up that holy book. There's going to be nights where it's just you and him. At the Hamilton County Jail, we have X-ray machines, body scanners, everybody goes through them. Okay? So, listen to me. If you have something on you and you just we're trying to hopefully to get away with it, it's going to eventually be found. Whether it be in your pockets or like inside you or anything like that. If you tell us now, yeah, you probably going to get a catch charged for possession of something. But if you don't tell us about it and you go through an X-ray machine and it's picked up in the jail, then you're going to get charged with trafficking it into a incarceration area, like a prison or jail, and you're going to get an even worse charge. So, is there anything on your body that you want to tell us about now? >> No, >> I don't. >> It might be a bowl, but that's >> a bowl. A ball. >> Like a pipe? >> Yes. >> Where is it? Don't reach for it. >> I don't know. >> So, it's somewhere on you, though. >> I think there might be. >> Okay. Well, thank you for tell Is there anything other than the bull? Because like I said, if you bring that into jail, >> you're going to catch a even worse charge. >> No. >> No. >> I think I don't I don't remember. I don't >> They're hitting the face vehicle for me. What's in here? >> Probably. >> That all you want to tell us? >> Hey, here's the deal. I'm done [ __ ] around with you. I'm going to let him take you to jail and I'm going to let you go through the body scanner. I'm going to let you get a level five felony. Take her. >> If if there's anything illegal on your person, we've given you plenty of opportunity. >> I don't have anything on me. >> You said you had a bowl. >> Oh, I thought I did. >> Okay, we're done. Elizabeth Felton was charged with violating a protective order, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of a prohibited substance, and of a dependent. Justice Stafford was charged with of a dependent, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and possession of a prohibited substance.