Clinton man charged after toddler found under the influence of meth

CLINTON, Mo. (KCTV) - A Clinton man has been accused of child endangerment after a toddler in his care was found to be under the influence of methamphetamine.

Henry County, Missouri, Circuit Court records filed on Friday, May 30, indicate that Joshua L. Mullen, 43, of Clinton, has been charged after a child under the age of 5 in his care was allegedly found to be under the influence of methamphetamine.

A probable cause statement filed by the Clinton Police Department revealed that on Wednesday, May 28, a child’s mother reported that she had picked him up from Mullen’s home and noticed his behavior was not normal. She recognized these as signs of methamphetamine impairment.

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According to the child’s mother, Mullen claimed the victim was fine; however, he had not taken him to daycare. He claimed the child may have ingested “gummy candies,” Cherry Coke, or disinfectants.

Nurses at Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare informed investigators that the child tested positive for methamphetamine. After Mullen was taken into custody, he claimed to have no knowledge of how the child may have gotten the meth.

As a result, court documents indicated that Mullen has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child. If convicted, he could be sentenced to spend up to 7 years behind bars and be ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.