RAID OF SUSPECTED METH LAB UNCOVERS CHEMICALS, KIDS

ADAMS COUNTY - When members of a drug task force pounced on a suspected
methamphetamine lab Friday morning, a 4-year-old girl met them at the door.

The youngster ended up hospitalized in protective custody, her aunt and
grandmother ended up in jail on drug charges, and her mother was on the
lam, apparently with the girl's 5-year-old brother in tow.

"Unfortunately, it's becoming more common," Thornton police Lt. Lori
Moriarty said of the combination of methamphetamine and children.

The girl was being cared for at Children's Hospital, where she was
undergoing tests to determine whether she had any dangerous chemicals in
her system.

Moriarty, commander of the North Metro Drug Task Force, said investigators
heard that a meth lab was being operated in the home at 1480 Marigold Drive
in unincorporated Adams County.

They obtained search and arrest warrants and went to the home Friday morning.

After the tot answered the door, police arrested her grandmother,
identified as Janice Copp, 46, and Copp's daughter, Danielle Copp, 18, on
suspicion of manufacturing methamphetamine and conspiracy to manufacture
methamphetamine.

They also may face charges of being "special offenders" because the home is
within 1,000 feet of a school.

Another man who was at the home, 18-year-old Christopher Gore, was jailed
on a contempt of court warrant issued by Littleton authorities.

Still at large Friday night was Jamie Sanders, 23.

She is Janice Copp's daughter and Danielle Copp's sister and the mother of
the two children, Moriarty said.

Sanders also faces drug charges. Although her son was seen at the home by
neighbors Friday morning, investigators believe Sanders left with him
before officers arrived at the home.

Moriarty said investigators fear that the children may have been exposed to
the chemicals used to make the methamphetamines - or to the drugs themselves.

They found muriatic acid and other chemicals in the home. And they found
methamphetamine on the headboard of the bed where the two youngsters sleep,
police said.

Moriarty said children who live in homes where methamphetamine is
manufactured face special dangers - from drugs, chemicals and violence.

"I think because of that we finally have a heightened awareness that this
really is a danger to the children," she said.