Children found with meth lab at St. Augustine motel

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. — An infant and toddler are now in the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families after a couple was arrested for having a meth lab in a St. Augustine Beach motel.

According to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Brian Gibson, 39, and Jessica Gibson, 28, were charged with production and possession of meth, and child neglect, among other things.

A witness noticed a small child wandering in the parking lot without parental supervision, and took them to the front office. The clerk called the St. Augustine Beach Police Department and an investigation began.

“It’s not good for anybody. Not good for anybody those poor kids. They don’t have a good beginning in life,” witness Montria Benson said.

Sky Action News Jax, the only news helicopter in town, went up Monday afternoon to give an exclusive, overhead view. It showed evidence being brought out of one of the rooms and crews in white suits decontaminating hazardous materials.

The Gibsons will be booked into the St. Johns County Jail.

SJSO uses something called CLET – Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Team – which is sent out to dismantle and remove items in a meth bust. SJSO Cmdr. Chuck Mulligan said their proactive policing is working.

“For now, we have seen a decrease in numbers and that’s something we’re all thankful for. Hopefully some of these individuals are getting the help they need,” he said.

The proof is in the numbers. The Sheriff’s Office said in 2014 they had 17 meth lab incidents in the county. In the past 12 months, that’s gone down to nine.

Evidence of another meth lab was found at a home in St. Augustine Monday morning.

Deputies thought the home was abandoned until they found a woman sleeping inside.

The woman, 27-year-old Nicole Branson, was charged with manufacturing drugs and drug possession.

Cox Media Group