PARENTS CHARGED IN A DRUG CASE

COLLINGSWOOD -- Police yesterday arrested a Collingswood couple who they
said smoked marijuana with their 14-year-old son and five of his friends on
at least six occasions between January and April of this year.

Matthew Davies, 41, of the 700 block of Haddon Avenue, was charged with 12
counts of endangering the welfare of a child. His wife, Beverly, 38, was
charged with nine counts of the same offense. While she was being arrested
at 10 a.m. yesterday, Beverly Davies suffered a seizure and was taken to
Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center; she later was released to police.
Matthew Davies, a construction worker, surrendered to police yesterday
afternoon after returning from work.

Bail was set at $25,000 each, and the couple were released from
Collingswood jail yesterday after each posted 10 percent.

Collingswood Police Capt. Frank Woshnak said the arrests came after a
four-month investigation found that the couple were not dealing drugs.

None of the juveniles -- age 13 to 15 -- was arrested. "We consider the
children victims here," Woshnak said. Police said they learned of the
couple's pot parties when a friend of one of the juveniles involved visited
the Davies' apartment and reported what she found to her parents. Her
parents, in turn, contacted police.

The state's Division of Youth and Family Services is expected to take
custody of the couple's son and his 12-year-old sister. A court date has
been set for Thursday.