TUSTIN -- Prosecutors have declined to file charges against a man and woman accused of growing marijuana plants in the bedroom of the woman's 1-year-old child.
Tina Turrieta, 29, and Stephen Casino, 26, were booked on suspicion of child endangerment Thursday afternoon after Tustin police officers found a marijuana growing operation inside their apartment, Lt. Tom Tarpley said.
According to the Orange County Jail records, both were released from custody on Monday.
Police said the pair had a doctor's recommendation allowing them to grow marijuana.
Orange County child protective services workers asked Tustin police to go to the couple's apartment about 3:30 p.m. Thursday to investigate a child abuse allegation, Tarpley said.
Turrieta answered the door and, while questioning her, "circumstances inside the apartment caused the officers to be concerned about their welfare," so they entered the apartment to do a "protective sweep," Tarpley said.
During the sweep, officers discovered about 20 marijuana plants, Tarpley said.
"When you have 20 plants with a 1-year-old with access to it, that's our concern," he said.
Tarpley was unsure of Casino's relationship to Turrieta or her child, but police said they shared a unit at the Segovias apartment complex at 15560 Tustin Village Way.
He said he could not reveal the nature of the child abuse allegation.
The child was placed in protective custody.
Tina Turrieta, 29, and Stephen Casino, 26, were booked on suspicion of child endangerment Thursday afternoon after Tustin police officers found a marijuana growing operation inside their apartment, Lt. Tom Tarpley said.
According to the Orange County Jail records, both were released from custody on Monday.
Police said the pair had a doctor's recommendation allowing them to grow marijuana.
Orange County child protective services workers asked Tustin police to go to the couple's apartment about 3:30 p.m. Thursday to investigate a child abuse allegation, Tarpley said.
Turrieta answered the door and, while questioning her, "circumstances inside the apartment caused the officers to be concerned about their welfare," so they entered the apartment to do a "protective sweep," Tarpley said.
During the sweep, officers discovered about 20 marijuana plants, Tarpley said.
"When you have 20 plants with a 1-year-old with access to it, that's our concern," he said.
Tarpley was unsure of Casino's relationship to Turrieta or her child, but police said they shared a unit at the Segovias apartment complex at 15560 Tustin Village Way.
He said he could not reveal the nature of the child abuse allegation.
The child was placed in protective custody.
