North Platte man faces felony cost after lab exams confirmed children in his custody have been uncovered to methamphetamine | Crime

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A 43-year-old North Platte man is charged with a crime after laboratory tests showed children in his care were exposed to methamphetamine.

Matthew L. McCarthy is charged with willful child molestation without harm. He made his first appearance in Lincoln County Court on Thursday and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for next Thursday.

According to a North Platte Police Department incident report:

Officials responded to a disturbance in a residence on the 4000 block of Bretwood Court at 9:40 p.m. on March 21.

It was reported that McCarthy had used a long tool with a wooden handle and a metal end to damage a floor and also waved the tool at another person there. Both incidents happened before the officers arrived.

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The incidents occurred in front of several teenagers who were physically unharmed but visibly upset. McCarthy was arrested without incident on suspicion of terrorist threats, child abuse and a criminal accident. He was taken to the Lincoln County Detention Center and later released.

The Department of Heath and Human Services investigated the incident. Hair follicle samples were obtained from the teenagers and tests showed they had been exposed to methamphetamine.

Officers then made several attempts to track down McCarthy and he was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of child molestation. He was released Thursday after leaving 10% of the $ 25,000 bail.