On 07/21/2025 at approximately 10:05 AM deputies responded to a welfare check in the 13500 blk of N US 31. Upon deputies’ arrival they made contact with the caller, a family member, who told them that they had discovered two juveniles unsupervised inside the residence.
The caller told deputies that they had observed the juveniles’ mother asleep on the couch with what appeared to be narcotics within immediate reach of the children. The caller further stated that after contacting law enforcement a verbal altercation occurred with the mother who then fled the residence. The mother was later identified as Emily Deweerdt 22yo of Columbus, IN. Deweerdt was later located and apprehended at the BP gas station in the 13000 blk of N US 31.
A search warrant was applied for and granted for the residence. A search of the residence resulted in locating over 26 grams of suspected methamphetamine, various prescription medications, drug paraphernalia including narcotics packaging material and a digital scale.
Deweerdt was booked into the Bartholomew County Jail on the charges of: Dealing in Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Neglect of a Dependent and Possession of a Controlled Substance. She remains in custody on a 72 hour hold.
The Indiana Department of Child Services was contacted and the children were safely relocated.
This is a preliminary investigation. All persons are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.