A North Platte couple has been charged with felony child abuse after children under their care tested positive for methamphetamine.

On February 27, officers with the North Platte Police Department, with assistance from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant on the residence of Todd and Heather Wickware in the 2400 block of East 2nd Street.  Authorities were looking for stolen property.

During the course of the search, items of drug paraphernalia were located, including glass pipes with methamphetamine residue.

Investigator John Deal said there were three children in the home during the warrant service, including an infant.

Deal said the children were within arm’s reach of some of the paraphernalia.

The children were taken to the Bridge of Hope Child Advocacy Center, where hair follicle samples were collected for testing.

On March 6, the results of the tests were returned and showed the children had tested positive for methamphetamine.

The Wickwares were both placed under arrest and charged with felony child abuse.

The couple was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center and jailed.