Mount Pleasant Police Lt. Donnie Quick confirmed last night that a narcotics investigation led officers and a county police to a home on Wakendaw Blvd.

After an extensive investigation by the MPPD narcotics division, officer made a cautious entry uses the services of the Charleston County’s Hazmat Teams.

Three people were taken into custody, Quick said. “Others, including children, were transported to the department, for further investigation,” he said.

Daniel Evander Johnston, born Feb. 2, 1982;  Heidi Marie Dawley, born Nov. 26, 1980; and Lauren Elaine Pender born Nov. 26, 1990 were all charged.

According to police department spokesman Cpt. Stan Gragg the Mount Pleasant Police Department, acting on a tip responded to 746 Wakendaw Road. The investigation did reveal a small scale lab had been operated at this residence on previous occasions and as a precautionary measure Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Metro-Narcotic Unit and Bomb Squad, along with the Mount Pleasant Fire Department Haz-Mat Team responded to the location. Metro Officers donned protective equipment and were able to confirm the presence of precursor chemicals but not an active lab.

Daniel Evanda Johnston III and Heidi Marie Dawley were taken into custody and charged with two counts of Unlawfully Exposing a Child to Methamphetamine Manufacturing and/or Chemicals.  These charges stem from the fact Dawley’s two minor children were present during times the lab was operational. Lauren Pender was also taken into custody and charged with Possession of Schedule IV Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Providing False Information to Police Officers.  The children were taken to the local hospital to be examined for their exposure and turned over to DSS.