SF Couple Faces Drug, Child Neglect Charges

Police say they found meth and more needles than they could count in a Sioux Falls home.  Some of the syringes were still filled with the dangerous drug.  In addition to drug charges, the two suspects are also accused of child neglect charges.

The house on North Redbird Place has seen more than its share of tenants, according to neighbors. The latest ones warranted a police call Tuesday.

"I don't know. What do you do? Police have a battle," neighbor Lori Redwing said.

According to police, a search warrant turned up meth, other drugs and a bag with more than a hundred syringes, some with the drug still inside. Needles were also scattered throughout the home.

"Any time you have that many syringes, it's an indication people are using at that location. Whether they're selling, it is hard to say," Sioux Falls Police Public Information Officer Sam Clemens said.

31-year-old Amber Schwartz faces drug charges, along with 41-year-old John Haddock. The two are also charged with child neglect because two children, ages seven and 11 also live at the home.  Neighbors say that's one of the things that make this bust so sad.

"I've never really seen them before. I would see their kids playing in the driveway, but I never really saw that," Redwing said.

Though the evidence only points to meth use, Redwing's neighbors believe it may have been more.

"She said she thought she could smell something odd several times," Redwing said..

Schwartz and Haddock are in the Minnehaha County jail. Their street is mostly quiet, unless you count the neighbors still talking about the bust behind closed doors.

"That is a creepy feeling," Redwing said.

Police say the couple left drug paraphernalia in a Sioux Falls hotel room back in August.  That prompted the search warrant.

Amber Schwartz  |  John Haddock