Drugs found in car during traffic stop and teen sent to CPS, Atwater police say

A teenager was turned over to Child Protective Services after a woman on probation was found to be in possession of narcotics during a vehicle stop, according to police.

According to Officer Michael Rivera, just after 8:50 p.m. Saturday, Atwater police pulled over a green Nissan Pathfinder in the 200 block of Atwater Boulevard for an expired registration and lighting violation.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Troy Taylor of Atwater, was found to be driving on a suspended license.

Police said a backseat passenger was identified as Karen Lawrence, also of Atwater. According to Rivera, Lawrence is currently on active felony probation out of Merced County. Due to the terms of the probation, Lawrence is required to agree to a search when contacted by law enforcement, according to Rivera.

During the search, authorities found Lawrence to be in possession of about 49.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine, as well as a pipe commonly used to smoke the substance, according to police. Police said they also found multiple bags in the vehicle with what is believed to be narcotic residue.

Lawrence’s 16-year-old child was also in the vehicle at the time of the traffic stop, police said.

Taylor, 50, was cited and released on charges of suspicion of driving on a suspended license, registration violation and a lighting violation, according to police.

Lawrence, 42, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, transportation of a controlled substance, cruelty to a child and violation of probation, according to Rivera. She was cited and released.

Police said the teenager was turned over to CPS.