Man Smokes Weed, Does Oxy In Front Of Kids In Westlake

WESTLAKE, OH — A patrolling officer saw a suspicious man pacing around the parking lot of Taco Bell last month. After seeing the officer, a witness said they thought the man had hit a child who was sitting in one of the parked cars. The man looked to be under the influence, the witness added.

The man told police he didn't hit a child. However, he was acting strangely and the officer asked him if he had done any drugs. The man admitted to having a needle in his possession, along with a pill grinder, which had a white residue inside.

Police also found oxycodone pills in the man's possession. The man said he had injected the pills, according to Westlake police.

The officer then found the man's car and saw the man's wife and three kids inside. The whole family denied the man hitting anyone.

However, the car smelled of burnt marijuana. Police believe the man smoked a marijuana cigarette in the car, with the kids inside, before pacing around the parking lot. A burnt marijuana cigarette was found in the car, within reach of the kids.

Police took the man into custody. The 45-year-old Cleveland resident is being charged with felony child endangering and drug possession, with misdemeanor charges for possession of marijuana and drug abuse instruments.