Barnstable Police Arrest Father for Selling Heroin with Baby in Car

Barnstable Police arrested a 36-year-old Hyannis man who has been a target of a narcotics investigation for allegedly selling heroin with his 1-month-old child in the car, police said. 

In late April of this year, police began an investigation into the behavior of Devon Cotell, of 31 Woodbury Ave., Hyannis after neighborhood complaints. Police suspected Cotell of selling heroin from his residence and in the Sea Street area in Hyannis, police said.

According to officials, Cotell is very well known to law enforcement with more than 70 criminal charges including assault and battery on a police officer. 

Police said they observed Cotell on May 3 with his girlfriend and their 1-month-old child traveling in a car and declined conducting a motor vehicle stop due to Cotells violent history with police.

Cotell's vehicle traveled to the KFC parking lot on Banrstable Road where he exited the vehicle and stood outside as if he were waiting for someone, police said.

While the baby and girlfriend waited in the vehicle, officers approached Cotell on foot. Police said they recovered about 3 grams of heroin in Cotell's possession. Cotell was charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute.

No other drugs were found in the car and the investigation is still ongoing into the involvement of the girlfriend in distributing heroin, police said.

Police noted the girlfriend's possible violation of the law prohibiting a person to knowingly be present where heroin is being kept.

Cotell is being held on $5,000 bail and will be arraigned tomorrow morning.