Vanmeter was wanted on a burglary-related felony parole violation warrant.
Indiana State Police Meth Suppression Section and Indiana State Parole Agents were actively seeking Vanmeter within the last week.
Troopers were looking for Vanmeter when they searched Heather Parks’ Flatley Road home and found a controlled substance believed to be Suboxone, a marijuana grow operation and a stolen firearm, according to a Indiana State Police news release.
UPDATE @ 12:58 p.m.
We reached Parks at her home, and she denied the charges, saying, “What they say happened didn't happen,” She did not elaborate.
Parks also said she knows Vanmeter, but she’s not aware of his whereabouts.
"If I knew where Vanmeter was, I would tell you," Parks told News Center 7's John Bedell.
INITIAL REPORT
RICHMOND, Ind. — Five children were removed from their mother’s home after methamphetamine, a controlled substance believed to be Suboxone, a marijuana grow operation and a stolen firearm were found in her Flatley Road home.
- Heather Parks, 30, has been charged with four counts of neglect of a dependent; maintaining a common nuisance; theft; possession of a controlled substance; and marijuana possession
- Parks was incarcerated and released from the Wayne County Jail
- Department of Child Services personnel were called to the home to remove five children ranging in age from 6 months to 14 years old
Parks’ arrest was part of an ongoing investigation involving Indiana State Police Meth Suppression Section and Indiana State Parole Agents.
Troopers and parole agents went to Parks’ home around 9 p.m. on Tuesday after receiving a tip about a man wanted by authorities, Thomas Vanmeter, living at the residence.
Vanmeter was not located in the home.
The investigation is ongoing. Further felony charges and arrests are pending, according to law enforcement officers.
Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Thomas J. Vanmeter, a 23-year-old Richmond resident, is asked to call the Indiana State Police Pendleton District Post at 765-778-2121. Tips can be made and kept anonymous.
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