Two arrested on criminal negligence charges after 1-year-old tested positive for meth

An investigation conducted by officers from the Sulphur Springs Police Department Special Crimes Unit and Child Protective Services resulted in two felony arrests Thursday afternoon.

At 3 p.m., officers arrested Joseph Ryan Sims, 31, of Sulphur Springs at a Helm Lane apartment complex. SCU officers secured a felony arrest warrant after drug screen results for both parents and their 1-year-old child came back positive for methamphetamine.

At 4 p.m. Thursday, officers served an arrest warrant on the child’s mother, Stephanie Jo Howse, 31, of Brashear at a Broadway Street convenience store.

Sims and Howse were both charged with endangering a child with criminal negligence. Bond was set at $20,000 each.

A 26-year-old Rowlett man who was reportedly with Howse when the arrest warrant was also taken into custody on a charge of possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana. He reportedly admitted to having marijuana on his person. His bond was set at $1,000.

All three remained in custody as of press time Friday, according to arrest reports and jail records.