Pettis County, MO – Authorities arrested three people on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, after executing a drug-related search warrant that uncovered methamphetamine and hazardous living conditions for special needs children.
The Pettis County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force, conducted the search at a residence in the 400 block of North Hurley Avenue.
During the search, deputies found a woman inside the home and two men in a backyard shed.
The two men, identified as Carl F. Smith, 42, and Aaron C. Blondell, 55, were discovered with drug paraphernalia, including two smoking pipes and a mirror with white residue that tested positive for methamphetamine. A case in the shed contained three baggies of meth, additional smoking pipes, and a digital scale.
Inside the home, authorities found Mary N. Whitt, 36, with two of her four children, while the other two were at school. According to court documents, all four children are under the age of 13, autistic, and nonverbal.
Deputies reported that the home was in severely poor condition, with moldy food scattered throughout and feces on the floors and walls.
As a result, Whitt was charged with:
Four counts of First-Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child
Maintaining a Public Nuisance
Delivery of a Controlled Substance
Blondell faces similar charges, including accessory counts related to child endangerment and drug distribution.
Smith was charged with Accessory to Delivery of a Controlled Substance.
All three were booked into the Pettis County Jail with a $25,000 bond.
Authorities continue to investigate the case to ensure the safety of the children involved.
