Carroll County sheriff’s deputies seized nearly $16,000 in methamphetamine from two alleged dealers - including a stash of the drug stored in a Sesame Street “Ernie” doll kept in a toddler’s bedroom. Police say the doll was scattered amongst other plush toys within the child’s reach.

Sheriff’s Investigator Telisha Gibson said Selena Doty, 30, of Carrollton, and Penny Reeves, 39, of Bowdon, were both charged with trafficking in methamphetamine stemming from two separate drug investigations in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Office and Carrollton Police Department’s specialized investigations teams.

Reeves was charged Friday following a two-month investigation when the Nissan Altima she was driving was pulled over by officers for having the windows on the car too darkly tinted, Gibson said. Approximately 2 grams of methamphetamine was found in Reeves’ clothing during the traffic stop before the woman consented to a search of her home on North Jonesville Road, which is near Jonesville Middle School, according to authorities.

At Reeves’ house, officers reported finding more than 32 grams of meth. Gibson said the bulk of the meth was found packed into a Sesame Street “Ernie” toy that had been placed in the woman’s 3-year-old daughter’s room scattered amongst the girl’s playthings.

“About 29 grams of methamphetamine were stored in the back of the stuffed animal that was found mixed in with the child’s other toys,” Gibson said. The stuffed doll also had two glass pipes and a measuring device with drug residue that was stuffed inside - only secured by a Velcro stripping.”

The remaining methamphetamine, according to deputies, was found in the common areas of the home, and officers seized $855 in cash.

Poice said Reeves’ admitted the sum of the money came from selling drugs.

Once at the Carroll County jail, additional methamphetamine was located during a more intensive search, which combined amounted to more than $8,000 worth of the drug seized, according to deputies.

Gibson said Reeves admitted to selling about 2 ounces of meth nearly every other day from her home and out of her car to people in the county, which the woman admitted was far less than the 7 to 8 ounces of the addictive drug she had previously sold locally.

One ounce of methamphetamine carries a street value of approximately $1,200.

Authorities said the child was turned over to other family members following Reeves’ arrest. Reeves, according to deputies, was also charged with possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and two counts of possessing drug-related objects.

Two days prior to Reeves’ arrest, Gibson said the Pontiac that Doty was driving was pulled over by Sheriff’s Deputy Lee Maxwell on Highway 61 near Hickory Level Road for a minor traffic violation. Investigators had been investigating suspected illegal drug sales by Doty for the past couple of months.

About 70 grams of crystal meth were found in Doty’s clothing after she was stopped, according to deputies.

Gibson said Doty admitted to selling a high volume of methamphetamine - about one pound of the narcotic - from the car she was traveling in since she had been staying at numerous motels within the county.

“We are very pleased with the cooperation between the Carrollton Police’s and the Sheriff’s crime suppression units during these investigations, which can be lengthy and require the manpower and experience of both units,” Sheriff’s Capt. Shane Taylor said. “In one of the cases, the investigation led to the seizure of a large quantity of methamphetamine that avoided a potential tragedy with a small child that could have ingested the drug.”

Gibson said both cases were helped by tips from the community.

“I urge anyone who thinks they have information regarding illegal drug sales to come forward - even if they believe the Sheriff’s Office might already have the information,” she said.

Some suspicious actions that could indicate possible illegal drug sales from a residence include: vehicles and people arriving at a house and staying for only a brief amount of time; visitors arriving at a particular house at unusual hours or making multiple trips; people arriving in a car with only some of the occupants exiting the car; and a high volume of traffic at the home.

All callers can remain anonymous, and anyone with any information can contact the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office at 770-830-5888.