Mother accused of selling drugs in home

By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

A Midwest City mother is facing drug charges after police say sold marijuana at her home.

Authorities said her alleged actions may have placed several children at risk. Police say children were put in harm's way because the alleged drug dealing happened at a house near an elementary school. The suspect's own children also were removed from her home.

According to an affidavit, 38-year old Michele Daniels told authorities she was selling marijuana since last summer to supplement her income. Police later confirmed that after acting on a tip.

"Our undercover detectives were able to do two hand-to-hand buys during the months of July and August and then later they did two trash pull from the residence and recovered some more evidence," Midwest City Police chief Brandon Clabes said.

The evidence was enough to obtain a warrant and make an arrest. When Daniels was taken into custody, police found a weapon, drug paraphernalia and more marijuana, authorities said.

"We actually found a shoebox under the crib that her grandchild was laying in with 30 bags of marijuana that were packaged for sale," Clabes said.

Some parents were concerned after learning most of the alleged drug sales happened at Daniels' home near Willow Brook Elementary.

"There's too much of that stuff going around," parent Vickie Griffin said. "I work in an emergency room and I see some of that stuff. It's not pretty."

One neighbor said he condemns the sale of drugs, but said he understands how the pressure to make ends meet could drive someone to break the law.

"Until the economy picks up and people can actually make it, you're going to have all kinds of problems and people are going to do what they have to do to survive," neighbor Charles Barnett said.

Daniels was charged this month with distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substances, maintaining a dwelling where a controlled dangerous substance was kept, and possession of a weapon while committing a felony.