Two people have been arrested and charged with child endangerment alongside several drug charges after a Wednesday morning drug raid on South Pickensville Road, according to Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins.

Deonna Gattis and Richard Gattis were both charged with two counts of child endangerment and two counts of sale of methamphetamine. Deonna Gattis also faces one count of conspiracy to commit a crime. They lived in a mobile home behind Bostick’s Grocery.

“There were several trailers back there, and each one of them had people selling methamphetamine in them,” Hawkins said.

When deputies entered the Gattis’ home, they found a 3-year-old and a 4-year-old in “just terrible” condition, Hawkins said.

“The kids were poorly kept,” Hawkins said. “They were not clothed, and they looked like they had not been bathed in weeks.”

The children were turned over to Child Protective Services, he said.

“I go on a lot of scenes and see a lot,” Hawkins said. “But this was really bad. … Children are innocent, and I don’t understand bringing them into the world and then treating them that way.” Rebecca Bumgardner Christopher Stokes

Also arrested in the raid were Rebecca Bumgardner, who was charged with one count of sale of methamphetamine and two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime; and Christopher Stokes, who was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime and one count of sale of methamphetamine.

Anyone with knowledge of this case or any additional information is asked to contact Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office at 662-328-6788 or call Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 800-530-7151. Tips can also be submitted via the P3 Tips smartphone app.

Tipsters will remain anonymous, and are eligible for a cash reward if the information leads to an arrest.

Brian Jones is the local government reporter for Columbus and Lowndes County.

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