Two charged after infant tests positive for cocaine use

A pair of north county residents have been charged with endangering the welfare of a child and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance after an infant tested positive for cocaine use at Brooks-TLC Hospital System.

Troopers charged Riley Halas, 29, of Fredonia and Fay Keech, 22, of Dunkirk on Monday while Halas was also charged with resisting arrest. Troopers received the complaint from Chautauqua County Child Protective Services requesting a welfare check of a 3-year-old child in the care of Keech and Halas, as his infant brother was taken to the Dunkirk hospital earlier in the day for an unknown medical issue where he tested positive for cocaine. Attempts to locate the child were initially unsuccessful, until the Troopers observed Halas and Keech driving through the village of Fredonia.

A traffic stop was initiated and the child was observed inside the vehicle in good health. Keech was placed under arrest without incident. Halas physically resisted arrest but was taken into custody after a brief struggle.

Inside the vehicle was a glassine envelope containing heroin and a pipe containing burnt narcotic residue. Halas and Keech were processed at Fredonia barracks, issued tickets and released. Halas and Keech are to be in the town of Dunkirk and village of Fredonia courts next month. The infant has since been released from the hospital and both children were turned over to a third party.

NEW YORK STATE POLICE

¯ GERRY — Jeffrey Holmberg, 30, of Gerry, was charged with felony driving while ability impaired by drugs. Troopers stopped Holmburg on Tuesday for an alleged violation on Route 60 in Gerry. Holmberg reportedly displayed multiple signs indicative of drug impairment and was taken into custody after failing several field sobriety tests. A check showed Holmberg had a DWI conviction in the past 10 years, making the new charge a felony. He is scheduled to appear in Gerry Town Court later.