TODDLER DIES FROM INJURIES SUFFERED IN METH EXPLOSION

A 15-month-old Catoosa County child died Saturday from injuries suffered in
a methamphetamine laboratory explosion on Feb. 7, authorities said Monday.

Catoosa County Sheriff Phil Summers said Shelton Hicks died of cardiac
arrest from complications caused by severe burns from an explosion and fire
at 153 Nason St. in the Lakeview area. He said the case still is under
investigation.

"This is very sad," Sheriff Summers said. "The child suffered from severe
burns over 30 percent of his body and was treated for an extended time at
the Shriner's Burn Unit in Cincinnati before he was released to foster
parents in Rome, Ga."

The sheriff said that the child's mother, Suzette Callaway, 27, and the
child's father, Christopher Hicks, 28, originally were arrested on charges
of operating a methamphetamine lab and released on bond at the time of the
incident.

He said Connie Rockholt, 32, was arrested and charged with operating a
methamphetamine lab and remains in custody. Lance Rockholt, 31, was charged
in the case and remains at large.

Sheriff Summers said he anticipates the district attorney's office will
upgrade the charges to murder, which is a nonbondable offense.

"It's shocking how many people with children in the house have meth labs,"
said Catoosa County Coroner Vanita Hullender. "They want everything to look
like it's a normal family situation."

Ms. Hullender said she wants the county to give the maximum penalty the
courts feel is deserved. The child had skin grafts to his hands and arms
and pins placed in his fingers, she said.

"This child was in and out of four different hospitals," Ms. Hullender
said. "I hope the law sees fit to issue a sentence that fits what the child
went through."

The child's body was taken to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab
for an autopsy.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by Lane Funeral Home in Rossville.