On Wednesday, YCSO took a child abuse report in Ash Fork from a woman who learned that her ex had been inhaling “laughing gas” with their 12- and 13-year-old sons while they were on visitation with him on Sunday. The mother learned of the incident(s) from her 16-year-old daughter who was not involved, but who saw a potentially incriminating video taken by one of the boys while out with the suspect showing them inhaling the gas from a balloon.
The mother and daughter confronted the suspect who allegedly admitted to providing laughing gas to the boys. YCSO detectives conducted detailed interviews the mother and the children learning that the gas inhaling incidents occurred repeatedly and near continuously for several hours as the suspect took them “4-wheeling” around the Ash Fork area, during which time it was reported one of the boys passed out but was not given medical help.
YCSO located the suspect in Cornville and following a search of his residence, numerous large canisters of Nitrous Oxide were located and balloons to inhale the drug. The man was arrested and charged with Child Abuse Endangerment; Possession of a Vapor-Releasing Substance Containing Toxic Substance; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Furnishing Harmful Items to Minors; Permitting Life Health or Morals to be Imperiled by Neglect, Abuse or Immoral Association; and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.
