ROGERSVILLE — A Hawkins County grandmother is facing drug and child neglect charges after allegedly bringing her 8-year-old granddaughter to make a drug deal Tuesday evening at a Rogersville restaurant parking lot.
Hawkins County Sheriff Ronnie Lawson said Wanda Faye Harvey, 56, 138 Lauderback Road, Rogersville, had been the subject of an ongoing investigation by the HCSO Narcotics Unit.
Tuesday evening Narcotics Unit deputies received information that Harvey was allegedly interested in trading her prescription morphine pills for oxycodone pills.
“A narcotics officer then placed a telephone call to Ms. Harvey while posing as an individual who was interested in the trade,” Lawson said. “During the recorded telephone call, Ms. Harvey offered to deliver morphine pills to the undercover officer in the Arby’s Parking Lot, located in Rogerville. Ms. Harvey then provided the officer with a description of her vehicle, and it was agreed to meet at Arby’s in 30 minutes.”
Narcotics officers then set up surveillance on the Arby’s parking lot located on Rt. 66, and reportedly observed Harvey pull into the lot approximately 30 minutes later.
Harvey allegedly had 10 morphine pills which she voluntarily took from her purse when confronted by deputies. She had allegedly agreed to trade three morphine pills for every oxycodone.
Narcotics Unit Lt. Chad Gillenwater said Harvey made a statement that she prefers taking “Roxies” to her prescription morphine.
Harvey has full custody of her granddaughter, and the child was released into the custody of family members. Gillenwater said a Department of Children’s Services referral was made pertaining to the incident.
Harvey was charge with possession of Schedule II narcotics with intent to deliver and child abuse/neglect.
Harvey was scheduled for arraignment Wednesday in Hawkins County Sessions court. As of Wednesday morning she was being held in the Hawkins County Jail on $20,000 bond.