Police: Palmerton man endangered 1-year-old, faces drug charges

A Palmerton man faces charges of endangering the welfare of his 1-year-old child.

Anthony Ritton, 27, has also been charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by officer Shawn Leadbetter of the Palm­erton Police Department: At 8:58 a.m. Oct. 25, Leadbetter was dispatched to assist Pennsylvania State Parole with an in-home visit in the 400 block of Lehigh Avenue.

At the residence, Leadbetter identified Ritton, who is the legal tenant of the residence, and was already in custody by agents with state parole.

The Palmerton Police Department, along with parole agents, searched the residence and found two baggies with a crystallized white substance which field tested positive for methamphetamine.

Leadbetter also found Ritton’s 1-year-old daughter inside the residence with access to the baggies.

Ritton is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing at 9:15 a.m. Jan. 30 before District Judge William Kissner of Palmerton.