Mo. foster parents, social worker charged with smoking pot

GRANBY, Mo. (AP) -- The foster parents of eight children have been accused of smoking marijuana with a state social worker who was checking on a child in their home.

Granby foster parents Wayne Anthony O'Neal Sr., 32, and Christel J. O'Neal, 29, along with Nova G. Propes, 44, a caseworker with the Children's Division of the Missouri Department of Social Services, were charged Monday in Newton County Circuit Court with two counts each of second-degree child endangerment.

A probable-cause affidavit filed with the court states that the O'Neals had as many as eight foster children and two of their own children living with them earlier this month when marijuana allegedly was smoked in their home.

The affidavit states that a 17-year-old foster child told a county sheriff's deputy about marijuana use in the home and provided pictures she had taken of drugs in the home.

According to the affidavit, the sheriff's office executed a search warrant and found drug paraphernalia.

The affidavit said Wayne O'Neal told investigators that he smoked marijuana almost every day in the master bedroom and that his wife and Propes had smoked with him there on several occasions when Propes conducted in-home visits with one of the foster children.

---

Information from: The Joplin Globe, http://www.joplinglobe.com