Washington Parish Chief Deputy Mike Haley said that three people were arrested Sunday, after Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies busted an alleged meth lab in a Franklinton mobile home. In addition, deputies rescued a young girl who was also at the mobile home, Haley said.

On Sunday, WPSO deputies responded to a mobile home on Beau Drive near Franklinton, acting on a complaint that an illegal meth lab might be operating at that address. Arriving at the location and knocking on the door, the deputies encountered Albert J. Weysham, 50, at the front door, Haley said.

As they were talking to Weysham, they noticed another man through the open door who was reaching down inside the cushions of a chair. Haley said that the deputies feared the man might be reaching for a weapon, entered the residence and detained Nicholas Whittington, 37, a resident of another address on Beau Drive.

While Whittington was being detained, deputies noticed a woman, later identified as Lauren E. Weysham, 28, a resident of Attley Walters Road near Franklinton, sitting on a couch. Haley said the deputies also noticed in plain sight a piece of aluminum foil with a small amount of a white substance that appeared to be meth, a glass pipe containing burnt residue, and a black multi-colored smoking pipe also containing burnt residue.

At that time, Lauren Weysham informed the deputies that a young girl was in an adjacent bedroom, Haley said. Deputies located the girl, approximately 1-1/2 years old, and removed her from the residence due to strong fumes from an unknown source and the large amount of cigarette smoke in the residence. Haley said that the girl was removed from the residence for her own safety.

Both Weyshams and Whittington were detained for officer safety and advised of their Miranda rights. Deputies advised the trio why they were at the residence, at which time Albert Weysham stated he had manufactured meth there earlier in the day, Haley said.

Haley noted that Whittington then showed deputies the remnants of his manufacturing lab, which were in a bedroom and atop a nearby clothes dryer. Upon further questioning, all three occupants admitted to using the meth, which had been manufactured at the residence that day.

Deputies obtained permission to search the residence and discovered meth, marijuana and heroin, Haley said.

WPSO Office Drug Task Force detectives were notified and responded to the scene. They assisted in collecting evidence and securing the meth lab.

Haley said that deputies then notified the Department of Children and Family Services. A representative of that agency responded to the scene and took custody of the young child, who was removed to a temporary foster home.

Both Weyshams and Whittington were arrested and transported to the Washington Parish Jail.

Lauren Weysham is charged with manufacture of methamphetamine, illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor, possession of Schedule II drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $58,000.

Albert Weysham is charged with manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of heroin, illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor, possession of Schedule II drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $63,000.

Whittington is charged with manufacture of methamphetamine, illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor, possession of marijuana and possession of Schedule II drugs. He remains in jail with his bond set at $58,000.

Parish Sheriff Randy Seal said he was “sick” that a child would be present in such criminal conditions.

“This situation makes me sick,” he said. “I am disgusted to know that three adults would intentionally endanger the health of a young child by manufacturing and using methamphetamine while the child was present. There is absolutely no excuse for this type of irresponsible and reckless behavior.

“Kudos to our deputies for rescuing this young child from a potentially life-threatening situation and putting these three irresponsible persons in jail.”