LAFOLLETTE, Tenn. — Three children were removed from a LaFollette home and are now in DCS custody following a search warrant and drug bust on Tuesday morning.
Authorities said the children, two boys and a girl, are all under the age of 10. Mitchell Swygart, 29, Michael Barrington 27, and Brittany Jones, 29, were living in the home just inside the city limits.
The 8th Judicial District Drug Task Force told 10News the bust was related to heroin, and was months in the making. Authorities said several undercover and controlled buys of heroin were made at the home over the course of that time.
"We received information that a male subject on Ridenour Lane was selling heroin from that location and that there were kids involved in the residence," LPD captain Stephen Wallen said.
The search warrant was served by the 8th Judicial Drug Task Force, LaFollette Police Department, and Campbell County Sheriff's Office.
"Once we found out the children were involved, we expedited the search warrant to get in there and make sure they were safe," Wallen said.
Wallen said his department called in the Department of Child Services when they found paraphernalia, needles, and heroin in the house.
"We don't want children being around that deadly drug because it takes a very small amount to kill somebody," Wallen explained.
Three adults who officials said were living in the home were not arrested, but the investigation is ongoing. Wallen said after more work, investigators do plan to bring indictments in the case to a grand jury.
Wallen said heroin use is on the rise in Campbell County and officers are doing a hard push, like busts, to combat the heroin epidemic.