Bradley County Sheriff’s Office has been working on the case since it was reported April 2. A mother had taken her child to SkyRidge Medical Center where she and the child reportedly sought treatment for burns.
Paula Brown, 22, was charged with manufacture of methamphetamine, aggravated child abuse and conspiracy to manufacture meth. Two others, Robert Nesmith, 35, and Tracy Michelle Parker, 42, were in the home when the child opened a door, “touching off a fire which caused burns to his left arm and leg,” according to information provided by Bob Gault, media relations coordinator for the BCSO.
Brown was reportedly injured as she was trying to put out the flames on the boy’s clothing.
April Star Eaves, 26, was also charged.
According to Gault, Nesmith, Parker and Eaves are all charged with manufacture of methamphetamine, aggravated child abuse and conspiracy to manufacture meth.
Gault also said investigators charged a fifth person.
Robert Taylor Talbott, Jr., 25, lived at the residence but was not present when the fire occurred but investigators “linked him to the purchase of key ingredients used to make meth.”
Talbott was charged with initiating the process to manufacture methamphetamine and conspiracy to manufacture meth.
Talbott was released on a $15,000 bond and Nesmith posted a $4,000 bond.
Brown is being held at the Bradley County Jail under $10,000 bond, as is Eaves. Parker remains jailed under $15,000 bond, according to jail records.
n An alleged burglar was caught in the act by the owner of a business and held at the scene until officials arrived.
According to BCSO reports, School Resource Officer Jay Lawson responded to Flowers Transmission on Bates Pike after Jason Flowers found Danny Wayne Cronan, 45, allegedly attempting to take auto parts from the business.
Bob Gault of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office said Cronan had loaded transmission parts in the bed of his pickup truck.
Lawson arrested Cronan and charged him with theft under $500 and possession of burglary tools.
He was transported to the Bradley County Jail and booked, then released on $750 bond, according to jail records.
