Last Thursday, what started as a routine traffic stop on U.S. 1 in Callahan quickly turned into a child-endangerment case, after deputies say they found methamphetamine sitting within arm’s reach of a young passenger. Two local residents were arrested, and the discovery has again put a spotlight on kids riding in cars tainted by drugs in Nassau County.
How deputies say the stop unfolded
Detectives say they pulled the vehicle over after noticing its license plate belonged to a different car and later determined the vehicle was both unregistered and uninsured, according to the Nassau County Sheriff's Office. During a search, officers report finding a small jar with a white, crystal-like substance in the backseat, placed where a child could easily grab it. Tests later confirmed the substance was methamphetamine, authorities say.
Arrests and charges
Deputies arrested 43-year-old Theresa Jean Pfister and 47-year-old Robert Ryan Martin, both of Callahan. Each is charged with possession of a controlled substance and child neglect, while Martin also faces counts of driving without a license and attaching an unassigned plate, as reported by Tampa Free Press. Martin’s bond was set at more than $87,000, and Pfister’s bond exceeds $60,000. Both were booked into the Nassau County Jail & Detention Center.
Child welfare steps
Deputies contacted the Florida Department of Children and Families, and the child was placed in the care of a family member, according to the Nassau County Sheriff's Office. Investigators said they focused on securing the child’s safety while they handled the arrests and processed evidence. Officials have not released additional information about the child’s age or condition.
A troubling local pattern
The July traffic-stop arrests follow a disturbing February case in Callahan, when four adults were arrested after a 1-year-old reportedly ingested meth from a sippy cup and was hospitalized, News4JAX reported. Sheriff Bill Leeper called that earlier exposure “heartbreaking and completely preventable,” a warning that officials say still hangs over child-endangerment investigations in the county.
What happens next
Both suspects remain in custody on their current bonds while the case works its way through the system. Prosecutors will review investigative reports and evidence before making any formal filings, Tampa Free Press noted. Future court records are expected to spell out more detail on the allegations and any potential additional charges.
Anyone with information about the stop or suspected child endangerment is urged to contact the Nassau County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line or submit anonymous tips to First Coast Crime Stoppers. Authorities are reminding residents to keep drugs and paraphernalia well away from children and to report suspicious activity as soon as they see it.
