A Spring Valley home on the 9000 block of Eucalyptus Street turned into an active crime scene Tuesday afternoon after detectives serving a warrant say they found suspected cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia scattered throughout the residence.
Detectives from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Office, working with county Child Welfare Services, detained three people at the home. The residents, identified as 31-year-old Karina Rice, 67-year-old Diann Whitt and 30-year-old Jarron Wood, were arrested on allegations of child abuse and drug-related offenses. Deputies say Wood also had a bookable misdemeanor arrest warrant and was carrying about 7.17 grams of methamphetamine when they searched him. All three were booked into San Diego Central Jail, and officials say the investigation is not over yet.
What officials say
According to a news release from the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, the warrant was served shortly after 2 p.m., with detectives assisting Child Welfare Services in executing the order at the Spring Valley address.
The release states that deputies located controlled substances and drug paraphernalia in multiple areas of the residence. Wood was taken into custody after deputies discovered the methamphetamine on his person, in addition to the outstanding misdemeanor warrant. The sheriff's office lists Sergeant Gerardo Mateus as the media contact for the Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Station.
How the incident was reported
Local coverage tracked closely with the sheriff's account. FOX 5 San Diego summarized the arrests and evidence reported by deputies, while Patch San Diego highlighted the booking information and breakdown of suspected substances, echoing the details in the sheriff's release. Both outlets note that the investigation remains active as detectives continue to gather evidence.
Legal status and tips
The sheriff's office emphasized that Rice, Whitt and Wood have been placed under arrest on child abuse and drug-related charges, but that an arrest does not equal a conviction and the case is still being investigated. Anyone with information that might help detectives is asked to contact the Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Station at 619-660-7079, according to the department.
Local context
Joint operations that combine child-welfare checks with narcotics investigations are not unusual in East County. Similar search-warrant operations in recent years have led deputies to remove children from homes where illegal drugs or weapons were reportedly found.
