Grow-op found in home where babysitting services were being offered

EDMONTON – A number of drug-related charges have been laid against an Edmonton couple offering private babysitting services following a two-month long investigation.

The investigation was led by ALERT’s Green Team, made up of members from the Edmonton Police Service and RCMP. Last week, the group executed a search warrant at a home in southwest Edmonton, in the area of 104 Street and 69 Avenue.

Once inside, police say they found a small, 17 plant hydroponic marijuana grow operation, along with a small amount of processed marijuana and cannabis resin.

Believing that the property was also being used to provide private babysitting services, the Edmonton Police Service Child at Risk Response Team (CARRT) accompanied the team as it searched the home.

“When we entered the property, we found electrical modifications to the furnace, along with fertilizers and chemicals present,” said Detective Cory Buerger in a release. “Yes, it was a relatively small grow op by our standards, but that doesn’t make it any less serious, especially when you have toddlers crawling around in that environment.”

A husband and wife – believed to be operating the babysitting service – along with their two young children, were inside the home, as were two other young children.

It’s believed a total of seven children, between the ages of two and five-years-old, were being cared for at the home.

“You never know who your children are with. People might want to check that out a little bit more, to make sure that they’re in a good home, it’s safe, and check references,” said neighbour Katherine Bedea.

CARRT is now providing support to the affected families.

After visiting the home, an Alberta Health Services Inspector deemed the home unfit for human habitation due to the presence of the marijuana grow operation, mechanical modifications, and other issues associated to the home.

Colby Robert Atcheson, 32, and 30-year-old Tina Lemire have both been charged with two counts of production of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession for the purpose of trafficking, three counts of willfully causing a child to be drug endangered contrary to the Drug Endangered Children Act, and two counts of causing a child to be in need of intervention contrary to the Child Youth Family Enhancement Act.

The two made their first court appearance on September 5 and were granted bail. Their next court appearance is scheduled for September 26 in Edmonton.