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VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - Two people are now behind bars and two children are in foster care after Valdosta Police officers found the two adults asleep in a vehicle with suspected methamphetamine inside.

At around 8 a.m. on Nov. 18, VPD says a vehicle was reported for not moving at the intersection of Highland Heights Drive and Highland Heights Lane. The caller said it seemed the occupants had fallen asleep.

When officers arrived, Kristopher Welch, 27, was asleep in the driver’s seat and Aryn Rider, 29, was asleep in the front passenger’s seat. Additionally, there were two children under 10 years old asleep in the backseat, VPD said.

When officers woke Welch, they noticed he was making erratic movements. When officers had him step out of the car, they saw he was sitting on a bag of suspected methamphetamine, police say.

More methamphetamine was found inside the vehicle which led to the arrests of both Welch and Rider.

They were taken to Lowndes County Jail and charged with:

• Possession of a Schedule 2 controlled substance (felony)
• Reckless conduct (misdemeanor)

The Lowndes County Department of Family and Children Services took custody of the children, police say.

“This is a sad example of the dangers of illegal drug use. It angers me to see children caught in situations like this. I am grateful for the citizen who called 911, as well as the quick response of our officers, along with the assistance from the Lowndes County Department of Family and Children Services, working together to protect these children.”

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