Deputies investigate two overdoses, drugs, weapons at schools | Crime

SALISBURY - The Rowan County Sheriff's Office is investigating three incidents involving drugs and one case of a weapon found on school property.

On Monday,  the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office became aware of a 13-year-old student at West Rowan Middle School that had overdosed on medication.

Detectives responded and began an investigation that determined the child had taken several Methadone pills (schedule II), and that he had possibly received the pills from another student, who is 14 years old.

During the course of this investigation, Detectives determined the 14-year-old student got the pills from a family member.  

Rowan County Sheriff's Office Investigators obtained a search warrant for this subject’s address at 400 Academy Street, Cleveland. 

Sheriff's Detectives and the Cleveland Police Department executed the search warrant on October 20, 2010 at the Academy Street, Cleveland residence.

During the search,  Detectives seized a pill bottle containing a mixture of prescription medication that included over 4 grams of Hydrocodone. Six grams of marijuana was also seized along with assorted paraphernalia.

As a result of this investigation, 56-year-old Rickey Walter Fox of 400 Academy Street, Cleveland was charged with (M) Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, (F) Trafficking if Opium, (F) PWITSD Schedule II (Hydrocodone) Controlled Substance, (F) Maintaining a Dwelling to Keep, Store and Sell Controlled Substance, (M) Possession of Marijuana, (M) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Fox was placed under a $10,000 secured bond. Both students are being charged with their involvement and referred to Juvenile Court.

According to another report, deputies are investigating a report that a 14 year old  student at East Rowan High School was selling the prescription drug Concerta to another student at the school.

Concerta is a prescription drug normally given to people diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Another investigation at East involved a student distributing morphine, and that led to an overdose, according to the report.

A student took the morphine pill that was sold to him by a 17-year-old female student at East Rowan High School who got the pill from her parent's medication bottle.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office said charges are pending.

The boy's parents called the principal at East Rowan High School from the hospital after the doctors confirmed the boy overdosed.  The student was treated and released.

In an unrelated incident, deputies also charged 16-year-old Donovan Romanek with having a knife on school grounds at East Rowan High.