Nov 14, 2024

Police: 2-year-old was living in drug filled room at Kansas home

Posted Nov 14, 2024 1:00 AM
Owens photo Saline Co.
Owens photo Saline Co.

SALINE COUNTY —A Salina Police Department SWAT operation tied to a Topeka Police Department  homicide investigation led to the discovery of a significant amount of drugs, including MDMA and marijuana.

On November 11, the Salina Police SWAT team executed a search warrant at a residence in the 100 block of North College in Salina at the request of Topeka police, which is investigating a homicide that occurred in its jurisdiction. 

While officers were serving the search warrant, they came across suspected drugs, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman. Police applied for a search warrant for the drugs, and during the investigation and search of the residence, officers did locate drugs that were consistent with the distribution of drugs, according to Feldman.

Officers found packaging materials alongside more than a pound of marijuana and approximately 1,000 pills of suspected MDMA or ecstasy.

Police arrested Damari Owens, 19, of Salina on requested charges including possession with intent to distribute controlled substances (marijuana and MDMA), possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, no Kansas drug tax stamp, and endangering a child.

Feldman said the requested charge of child endangerment was added after police discovered a two-year-old child was living in the room where the drugs were found.

The initial search warrant, requested by TPD, for the North College Avenue residence is connected to a reported homicide that occurred in Topeka earlier this week. 

On Sunday, November 10, Topeka police officers responded to a shooting in the 1200 block of SW Huntoon Street in Topeka, according to a media release.  Upon arrival, two individuals were located with life-threatening injuries. One was pronounced deceased on scene by medical personnel, and the other was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.

According to a statement from Topeka, this marks the 17th homicide investigation of 2024. TPD has not said whether or not Owens is a suspect in the ongoing Topeka homicide investigation.