DRUGS FOUND IN PARENTS WHO DIED WITH 4 KIDS

The bodies of a mother and father who drowned with four of their children
during a family outing here tested positive for methamphetamines,
toxicology test results showed Monday.

"There wasn't enough methamphetamine for an overdose, but it was enough to
affect their judgment," said Margaret Soliz of the Kern County coroner's
office. "There was a fair amount in their system."

Officially, Martin and Charlotte Skaggs drowned, but methamphetamine
intoxication was a contributing factor, Soliz said. The two, both 45, had
previous drug convictions, Kern County sheriff's investigators said.

The parents and their children--Melanie, 10; April, 8; Lindsey, 7; and
Travis, 5--died July 2 during a family outing at Lake Isabella. They were
wading on a shallow sand bar in an area where the bottom falls away
sharply, authorities said. Investigators called their deaths a tragic accident.