Owensboro father arrested after 3-year-old hospitalized for meth exposure

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — An Owensboro man is facing multiple charges after a child was hospitalized due to being exposed to methamphetamine.

Kentucky State Police Post 16 said on May 16 they were contacted by Owensboro Regional Health Hospital about a three-year-old child who tested positive for meth. Due to the child's severe condition, they were transferred to Norton Children's Hospital in Louisville. KSP said the child is in critical condition.

Troopers conducted an investigation at the hospital and detained the child's father, 43-year-old Gary D. Walker. When he was being processed, police found synthetic urine in Walker's underwear, allegedly intended to alter a drug test. During a subsequent search of Walker's car, police found a small metal vial containing white residue.

Police obtained a search warrant Sunday morning to search Walker's home on Danberry Street in Owensboro and found about five grams of meth, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Walker was later arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He is being held at the Daviess County jail.

Police are still investigating how the child was exposed to the meth.