Six arrested in St. Augustine drug raid; child put in state custody

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — A local 5-year-old is in state custody after being rescued from a home in St. Johns County that police said was filled with drugs.

The St. Augustine Police Department said the child was one of nine people found in the home when the department's special response team and investigations unit arrived there.

Investigators said the child was sleeping within reach of cocaine. Narcotics and drug paraphernalia were found throughout the home, police said.

A suggestive magazine was also found in the child's toy box, according to a police report.

Action News Jax has learned six people were arrested on drug charges and two of them were also arrested for suspicion of child neglect.

Investigators said Randall Laughlin and Marcey Forsythe, who is wanted on suspicion of for grand theft in Duval County, are also charged with child neglect.

Neighbors on West Carver Street said it’s only a matter of time before officers are called there again.

Sweat said she’s witnessed multiple drug raids at the home, but Monday’s was especially upsetting.

She described, “All of them came out of the house in handcuffs and the little boy he was just running around. He didn’t know what to think, he was so upset.”

“I was just really upset because seeing them get like that and then this little boy is just running around – it makes you worried he’s going to get into it,” explained Sweat.

Families in the area say drug activity at the house has been happening for years.

Sweat said, “It’s a terrible thing and I’d like to see it out of our neighborhood to be honest. We’ve had no other problems except this one for a long time.”

Action News Jax has requested all calls for service to the home from the St.Augustine Police Department but has not yet received the numbers.

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