Man accused of giving his medicine to toddler

PORTAGE | A Portage man was charged Wednesday with felony neglect of a dependent after he was accused of giving his medicine to his 20-month-old son, causing an overdose that resulted in the toddler being hospitalized.

Carlo Ernandes, 29, of 3277 Willowdale Road, faces up to three years in prison if convicted.

The overdose was reported in the early morning of Sept. 14. Police responded to Porter Portage Hospital Campus and were told the child overdosed on methadone and suffered severe respiratory distress. The child was stable when police arrived.

Ernandes told police his wife left him a note to give the child a teaspoon of over-the-counter cold medicine. He told police that above the sink in a similar plastic cup was a partial dose of methadone. He told police he gave the child the methadone, then realized his mistake.

He told police he kept an eye on his son and didn't notice anything unusual, but police said the child's mother returned home and noticed the boy's breathing was shallow and abnormal. After being unable to wake the child, the couple took him to the hospital.

Ernandes told officers he rinsed his son's mouth, then gave him cold medicine, police said. However, police said he didn't call a doctor, Poison Control or his wife.

Police say 22-year-old shot at house five times

CHESTERTON | The man apprehended in connection with the shooting of a home in the 300 block of Park Avenue in Chesterton was charged Wednesday with criminal recklessness, pointing a firearm, two counts of battery, possession of marijuana and leaving the scene of an accident.

John Fejes, 22, of 1608 Greenmeadow Lane, Chesterton, faces up to 14 1/2 years in prison if convicted.

Police said Fejes was involved in a fight at the home on Park Avenue on Monday. Police said he retrieved a shotgun from his car, pointed it at one of the residents and then shot the house five times before driving away.

The house was hit at least once, police said.

Town Council advances

Valpo police doing blitz today

VALPARAISO | Valparaiso police, who joined the Indiana State Police for an enforcement blitz last month on U.S. 30 and Ind. 49, are doing another blitz today.

Valparaiso police will have extra officers out whose sole responsibility is to look for motorists who speed, run red lights and fail to use the truck lanes on U.S. 30 and Ind. 49. The patrols are supported by a state grant from the Governor's Council on Impaired and Dangerous Driving.

One month ago, 14 Valparaiso officers and state troopers issued 79 tickets and warnings during a crackdown.

PORTAGE

TUESDAY

Theft. Camelot Estates resident Cammie Phend reported the theft of $1,700 worth of jewelry.

Vandalism. MR & JR Investments reported $500 damage to four satellite dishes, a window screen and a dryer vent cover in the 6700 block of Dale.

PORTAGE TOWNSHIP

WEDNESDAY

Vandalism. Faith Missions Jehovah's Witness, 930 N. Ind. 149, reported $2,000 damage to an air conditioner.

SOUTH HAVEN

WEDNESDAY

Theft. Oxford Road resident Edgar Batista reported $1,710 worth of jewelry stolen from his home.

VALPARAISO

WEDNESDAY

Theft. Paul Sur Pontiac, 1551 W. U.S. 30, reported the wheels and tires stolen from a Pontiac G6. The loss is $3,000.

THURSDAY

Attempted residential entry. Napoleon Street resident Adrian Hullett reported someone attempted to burglarize her home. Police said it does not appear that entry was made.

Vandalism. Ohio Street resident Anthony Reid reported someone keyed his city-owned pickup truck while it was parked in front of his home. The damage is $1,000.

WESTCHESTER TOWNSHIP

WEDNESDAY

Theft. Burdick Place resident Robert Kumpfer reported someone entered two vehicles at his property, stealing a $125 briefcase and $35 worth of other items from one of the vehicles.

ARRESTS

Tuesday to Thursday

Battery | Tony Lopez, 35, 5920 Old Porter, Portage; Candy James, 37, 5956 Sunrise, Portage

Conversion, public intoxication | Levi Thomas, 26, South Bend

Criminal mischief | Epigmenio Moncada, 25, 245 S. County Road 150 East, Valparaiso

Driving while suspended | Bryan Kirk, 27, 3804 N. Campbell St., Valparaiso

Drunken driving | Lawrence Schell, 65, Ogden Dunes; Robert Nelson, 53, 815 McCool Road, Valparaiso; Calvin Larry, 36, Chicago

Drunken driving causing serious injury | Michael Schrum, 28, North Judson

Failure to appear | Johnny Lanham, 45, Hammond; Stephen Huskey, 30, Westville; Angela Taylor, 33, 764 Heritage Road, Valparaiso; Earnest Smith, 34, Gary; Lorenzo Lacey Jr., 28, Madison, Wis.; Nicholas Perez, 29, West Lafayette

Failure to appear, theft | Jamie Craig, 40, 202 Nickleplate, Valparaiso

Failure to comply | Joshua Powell, 28, Ludington, Mich.; Mario Biscocho, 57, Gary; Roxanne Sherwood, 45, Michigan City; Justin Conrick, 26, 303 Chester Ave., Valparaiso

Failure to comply, battery, criminal mischief | Anthony Rodenas, 34, 1725 Fox Point Drive, Chesterton

Failure to comply, hold | Michael Oldham, 23, Lake Station

Home detention statute | Christopher Whickcar, 23, 2104 Country Club Road, Valparaiso

Intimidation, strangulation, battery, disorderly conduct | Raymond Chavez Jr., 58, 6282 Oglethorpe, Portage

Invasion of privacy | John Nash Jr., 26, Chicago

Maintaining a common nuisance, possession of marijuana | Antonio Ramos, 20, Chicago; Tiffany Etheridge, 19, 126 Camelot Estate, Portage

Possession of a controlled substance | Rick Fuller, 22, 3059 Eleanor St., Portage

Possession of marijuana | Tina Matheny, 39, 430-1 Prescott Road, Valparaiso

Possession of marijuana, failure to appear | Gregory Matheny Jr., 21, 1891 Truman, Portage

Public intoxication | William Purcell Jr., 27, New Hudson, Mich.; Shannon Huff, 25, Mishawaka

Residential entry, battery | Nathan Brown, 30, 2865 Belmont, Portage