Chester Co. Man Fed Child Crystal Meth, DA Says

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — A Chester County man has been charged with feeding a young boy crystal methamphetamine and leaving three children alone in a car with a gun, the District Attorney's Office said.

An investigation began as police were responding to a nearby, unrelated DUI at the West Sadsbury Walmart on Dec. 24, at around 3:45 a.m.

Harold Nuse, 43, of Honey Brook, left the three children — his wife's children but not his biological offspring — alone in the parking lot while he went in to shop, police said. He was inside for over an hour.

Inside the vehicle, he left a gun and ammunition with the children, aged 11, 8, and 6, according to the DA.

Police noticed the car sitting there and went over to the children. One of the children told police that on at least five occasions, Nuse took him to a shed at their property and made him put a chunk of crystal mouth under his tongue until it dissolved.

The child described the meth as a "weird gem" and said that it tasted bad, which would be consistent with meth's bitter taste, authorities said.

Nuse has been charged with drug delivery, endangering the welfare of children, and related counts. Bail was set at $75,000 which he did not post, and he was booked at Chester County Prison.

A preliminary hearing is forthcoming.

Pennsylvania State Police and Chester County Detectives investigated the case.

If you have any information on this case, contact Trooper Aaron Botts at 610-486-6280.

Image via Chester County District Attorney's Office