Parents accused of child abuse for having medical marijuana operation in home

DENVER - Two parents are facing charges of child abuse after investigators discovered a marijuana grow operation in their home where they lived with three children, ages 7, 9 and 11.

The Denver District Attorney's Office says 29-year-old Joseph Daniel Lightfoot and 29-year-old Amber Brooke Wildenstein are each charged with one count of child abuse.

Investigators say Lightfoot and Wildenstein have been operating the licensed marijuana grow operation in their home on South Williams Street near East Vassar Avenue.

Denver Police went to their home in early June on a report of domestic violence.

Both Lightfoot and Wildenstein are each free on a $50,000 bond. Both are set to appear in court in July to be advised of the charges against them.

They were charged under a state statue that says a person commits child abuse if they knowingly engage in the manufacture or attempted manufacture of a controlled substance in a place where a child is living.

9NEWS.com | Denver | Colorado's Online News Leader | Parents accused of child abuse for having marijuana operation in home

Probably, has more to do with the domestic abuse charges too. Couldn't get the kids out with that so they turned to the MMJ???

Very scary as a parent

I wonder who is going to represent them?

It seems this would be well covered by amendment 20.

Yep, 'protection from prosecution' means just that. Could you imagine how the public would react if they were doing this to legal gun holders?

Gotta love the dramatics they use to spice up a charge. Since when does growing marijuana have to do with domestic violence.... And when it is legal at that, somehow society is suppose to think less of these people because they grow MMJ? I seriously think people need to lay off...

Consider I grow my own tobacco plants at home and sell it, would that make me a criminal for having a grow operation at home, and all the chemicals and additives they use in cigarettes all under my roof with my kids.. But I bet growing a natural harmless plant at home in quantity is now a sin... People really need to chill out with their hidden agendas.

FREE COUNTRY MEANS FREE COUNTRY, NOT LISTEN TO EVERYTHING THE POLICE/GOVERNMENT SAY YOU SHOULD DO. I WILL MAKE MY OWN CHOICES, AND NOT JUDGE OTHERS FOR DOING THE SAME. SINCE THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE ARE NOW RUN BY THE PEOPLE WITH MONEY, THEY MAKE IT QUITE CLEAR THAT THEY WILL DO AWAY WITH OUR CONTROL AND CHOICES, SO LONG AS IT HELPS THEM MAKE MORE MONEY, THEY WILL SUPPORT IT.

And, since when is it considered child abuse for growing marijuana..... wtf!!??!?

I love how they use the word 'manufacture' when it comes to growing marijuana, sounds scary. I need to warn my mom that she is manufacturing tomatos.

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Originally Posted by Zedleppelin

I love how they use the word 'manufacture' when it comes to growing marijuana, sounds scary. I need to warn my mom that she is manufacturing tomatos.

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Better watch out that no one notifies Hunt's of her lil operation. They might bust her door in and confiscate em for copyright infringement.

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Originally Posted by Zedleppelin

Yep, 'protection from prosecution' means just that. Could you imagine how the public would react if they were doing this to legal gun holders?

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Guns along with MMJ should be locked up and away from children. Personally--I don't understand parents who grow within their personal living residences--when they have young kids?

Ever heard of a detached garage--shed--etc--an unattached area--that kids are not interested in because it is not in the living area of the home. Something detached that can be locked up where the kids can't get in--is the ideal place.

And if you don't have that--buy it from a dispensory or find a caregiver that has those kind of growing resources that can provide to you.

Child abuse charges are very serious--and the looks of this guy in the Denver post--he looks like he is very well capable of it.

Could this couple look any scarier:(

I think the one comment posted about social services using pot to get the kids out of a bad situation could be right. I hope the kids are ok, and I hope this doesn't make people think growers are bad parents.

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Originally Posted by donnadanko

Could this couple look any scarier:(

I think the one comment posted about social services using pot to get the kids out of a bad situation could be right. I hope the kids are ok, and I hope this doesn't make people think growers are bad parents.

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Yeah-this parent is very scary looking. Hopefully social services can get them into a much better enviroment. Not all growers are like them--but like I said before--I don't understand parents who grow right in front of their kids.

What about the garden? Or should I say my factory? What if children were playing out in my backyard?:wtf3:

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Originally Posted by luge469

What about the garden? Or should I say my factory? What if children were playing out in my backyard?:wtf3:

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I doubt your kids are "allowed" to play in your veg outdoor garden--RIGHT? I am talking about moron parents that grow inside their home--in a bedroom--or other accessible room that their children are capable of frequently visiting.

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Originally Posted by rightwinger

Yeah-this parent is very scary looking. Hopefully social services can get them into a much better enviroment. Not all growers are like them--but like I said before--I don't understand parents who grow right in front of their kids.

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Wow, so you're all for these people losing their kids based on how they look? They could be dying of cancer for all you know, I've been battling cancer for a few years now and somedays I dont look that great.

And you keep saying right in front of the kids, how do you know this? Do you think they were growing in the living room and play room? Maybe they were growing in their garage or a locked basement. Even so, tell me, how does a plant endanger a child?

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Originally Posted by Zedleppelin

Wow, so you're all for these people losing their kids based on how they look? They could be dying of cancer for all you know, I've been battling cancer for a few years now and somedays I dont look that great.

And you keep saying right in front of the kids, how do you know this? Do you think they were growing in the living room and play room? Maybe they were growing in their garage or a locked basement. Even so, tell me, how does a plant endanger a child?

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Were just talking, were not in court or anything, friendly conversation. I don't think if grown right a mmj plant can hurt a child.

parents do responsibly grow.

also, keep in mind, after you've been yanked out of bed, cuffed, and taken down town, the picture sucks. we don't know anything about these folks yet, and as of now, they need our support.

sorry I might have made light of a bad subject! The truth is that the media and leo for that matter will take anything to do with mmj and spin and sensationalize it for their own personal gains! {and I do keep the children and rabbits out of my garden!}:D

I 'll support them when I know for sure they didn't do anything to their kids. It's too early, I don't know all the facts yet.

I know kids are generally safe around plants and most parents who grow are great parents.


But if they did abuse there kids, this will come back on all of us. People who don't want MMJ in Colo will exploit this situation.

I think we all saw this coming.

These poor kids...

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Originally Posted by donnadanko

I 'll support them when I know for sure they didn't do anything to their kids. It's too early, I don't know all the facts yet.

I know kids are generally safe around plants and most parents who grow are great parents.


But if they did abuse there kids, this will come back on all of us. People who don't want MMJ in Colo will exploit this situation.

I think we all saw this coming.

These poor kids...

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exactly!!!!!:thumbsup:

This is a tough one. How do we teach the next generation that MMJ is indeed a medicine, if it has to be hidden from them? My son is too young to understand but, when the time comes, I will not lie to him, period. My garden is in a basement room under lock and key.

No one would think twice about having children help plant a veggie garden, but the the devil weed is different? Why?

There are community gardens everywhere and children learn so much from planting, tending and harvesting.

Just pissed now and rambling. Two steps forward and 3 back I guess

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Originally Posted by donnadanko

Were just talking, were not in court or anything, friendly conversation. I don't think if grown right a mmj plant can hurt a child.

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And if its grown bad how does it hurt a child? I would like just one example how a non lethal plant is bad for a kid.

I'd venture to say growing hot peppers, which I do, like ghost peppers, would be much more dangerous to a child than MJ. Get that in your mouth, nose or eyes.

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Originally Posted by PolishPotFarmer

I'd venture to say growing hot peppers, which I do, like ghost peppers, would be much more dangerous to a child than MJ. Get that in your mouth, nose or eyes.

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Not to mention there are plenty of houseplants that can be deadly if ingested. Hell, kids playing on grass is probably a health risk with all the fertilizers people use.

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Originally Posted by Zedleppelin

And if its grown bad how does it hurt a child? I would like just one example how a non lethal plant is bad for a kid.

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I don't know of a "plant" that has hurt anyone but if the electrical isn't done properly that could be harmful. If the plants start growing mold, that would be an issue in my house with asthma.

I don't think a MMJ plant can really do much damage, I have never seen a case where the actual plant hurt anyone. Although..... I did get resin in my eye once and it hurt like hell.:) I'm only answering you because it seems your determined to get me on the opposing side, after I made that comment about the parents looking scary.

nobody lets their kids wander around in the grow room, do they?vI mean.... seriously? At this point in the summer - I shower and change my clothes before I enter the grow room for fear of dragging some unwanted tiny critters in there. let alone, having a kid (I mean mite mule;) in there.

the article said nothing of any other child abuse. they were looking for something to charge them with. If there was some other abuse, they would have charged them with that.

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Originally Posted by donnadanko

I don't know of a "plant" that has hurt anyone but if the electrical isn't done properly that could be harmful.

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Last year a local patient burned to death here in Durango when his grow caught fire. That's pretty big news for this town, and it has come up again and again as the city and county wrestle with the land use issues surrounding commercial marijuana grows.

but if they wer all having a block party with kegs of beer and drunk fools f'in around it all be just fine and dandy :)....but if the cops smell something skunky uh ohh watch out,,.

trumped-up - definition, examples and meaning from Wordnik

Urban Dictionary: trumped-up

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Originally Posted by HighPopalorum

Last year a local patient burned to death here in Durango when his grow caught fire. That's pretty big news for this town, and it has come up again and again as the city and county wrestle with the land use issues surrounding commercial marijuana grows.

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I'm actually surprised it doesnt happen more often. There are some estimates that there are over 100,000 growers in the state and I havent seen one report of a house fire from a grow in the entire Denver metro area. Thats whats next, its just a matter of time before there is one and the next day Romer will be introducing a bill to stop home grows.

you hear about fires started by cigarettes all the time. for some reason, they are still legal.

And coffee makers too. Coffee should only be allowed to be made in commercially zoned areas.

:microwave:

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Originally Posted by copobo

you hear about fires started by cigarettes all the time. for some reason, they are still legal.

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And coffee makers too. Coffee should only be allowed to be made in commercially zoned areas.

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Lightning too!

*shakes fist at the heavens*

One time a mouse got stuck in my toaster and started a small toaster fire.

please don't put mice in the toaster any more! :thumbsup:

LOL

that musta been a righteous smelling bbq!

Just thought many would want to read this. I pulled it from another site, Skunk Skool, and it sounds like this person is close to the situation:


These two people are what my family call junk. they have had several DV calls on them several calls to dhs and nothing was done...2 of the kids' father wasnt even able to see them. It would have never came out, except for their arguments, which were really abusive. It wasnt booze, just plane stupidity on the Mom's part. The kids are in a great home now, they are in good care with many family and friends...Let the healing begin...

they should call it is what it is then. they didn't need to pull the weed card.

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Originally Posted by Zedleppelin

Wow, so you're all for these people losing their kids based on how they look? They could be dying of cancer for all you know, I've been battling cancer for a few years now and somedays I dont look that great.

And you keep saying right in front of the kids, how do you know this? Do you think they were growing in the living room and play room? Maybe they were growing in their garage or a locked basement. Even so, tell me, how does a plant endanger a child?

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Give me a freakin break--I AM FOR KIDS. I am a cancer survivor myself. I went through surgery, chemotheraphy--radiation the whole works--and never would have dreamed of growing in MY HOUSE while my kids were in it. During that time--I got my meds from someone else.

GET OVER IT--O.K.

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Originally Posted by HighPopalorum

Last year a local patient burned to death here in Durango when his grow caught fire. That's pretty big news for this town, and it has come up again and again as the city and county wrestle with the land use issues surrounding commercial marijuana grows.

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Exactly--a bunch of dumb--asse's that not only put themselves at risk of fire and shock hazzard--but let their kids run around in this disaster too.

For What? To make a couple of extra dollars. Exactly--how much are YOUR kids worth?

If you're that freaking cheap that you can't build a freaking detached storage shed then you're really screwed up.

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Originally Posted by rightwinger

For What? To make a couple of extra dollars. Exactly--how much are YOUR kids worth?

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I agree that children have no place around commercial grows, but such operations will not be allowed in residences so this is unlikely to be a problem.

So if marijuana is manufactured, wtf do you do to make crack? A spell?

And with the comment about having the grow room in another area of the house, why does that make a difference, Unless the children were running around playing cards with Grand Daddy Purple, whats the problem. Its not liek they were making their kids water their plants for them or something? And in another perspective, why is teaching your children that medicine isn't mad but not to over do it wrong? So is having cough syrup around make you a bad parent because your kid can go Robo-Trip whenever he wants. Kids need to be informed, otherwise they will be mislead. Just like all the parents that believe marijuana is just like heroin because of fucking Reagan's anti-drug campaign that showed pot and a syringe.

Stupid people believe stupid things, so lets have less stupid people so we can fucking think for ourselves for a change.

-C

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Originally Posted by ForgetClassC

So if marijuana is manufactured, wtf do you do to make crack? A spell?

And with the comment about having the grow room in another area of the house, why does that make a difference, Unless the children were running around playing cards with Grand Daddy Purple, whats the problem. Its not liek they were making their kids water their plants for them or something? And in another perspective, why is teaching your children that medicine isn't mad but not to over do it wrong? So is having cough syrup around make you a bad parent because your kid can go Robo-Trip whenever he wants. Kids need to be informed, otherwise they will be mislead. Just like all the parents that believe marijuana is just like heroin because of fucking Reagan's anti-drug campaign that showed pot and a syringe.

Stupid people believe stupid things, so lets have less stupid people so we can fucking think for ourselves for a change.

-C

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The point is the ELECTRICITY--that is extremely dangerous if not installed by a professional electrician. Grow rooms using 1000 watt lights require circuits--the ballasts get very hot--and it is more of a commercial wiring application--not residential. We have a lot of idiots out there that will jerry-rig their panels-double tap existing breakers--install new circuits--not using the correct sized wire-or breakers-and they put in all this new wiring into very old panels. FPE--Federal Pacific lost it's UL rating over 20 years ago--but there are still many around. (The breakers are known not to trip--when they need too--so they just get hot--and start a fire--or someone gets shocked.)

Then they fill up their basements with all this-electrical jerry-rigging-- while their kids are sleeping above or below these rooms--and then wonder--when busted--why they got charged with "child endangerment".LOL.

It is so much better to use a detached shed or other area away from the house -- other than putting an entire family at risk of fire or shock hazzard.

If you're going to grow your own--do it safely.