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Police were headed west on West North Street shortly before midnight Monday when they allegedly saw Smith stagger and fall to his knees in the median between West Columbia and West North streets, according to court records. Two children, ages 3 and 5, were standing nearby, police alleged.
Police said he was sweating, threw up and had slurred speech and medics were called.
Smith later told medics he had taken Percocet and had consumed alcohol, but he refused treatment. While officers were gathering information, Smith allegedly grabbed the children and tried to walk to a nearby motel room. He argued with officers when they stopped him and told them he was in good condition. He was handcuffed and later placed in a patrol car when he walked toward the children a second time, according to court records.
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He was taken to the Springfield Regional Medical Center for treatment, court records say, and Smith reportedly told the physician he had taken Oxycodone, Percocet and alcohol. He denied using heroin but the physician noticed several syringe marks on his body, police said. Smith refused treatment at the hospital and was taken to the Clark County Jail.
The report showed the children’s mother arrived at the motel to gather clothing for them and came outside with a syringe and a bent, burnt metal spoon with, “obvious drug residue” on it, court records say. The children were placed with their grandmother, according to the report.
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