Pair arrested in South Park with guns, an infant and pot
A four-month-old baby girl was given to her grandmother after her mother was arrested by Bethel Park police Aug. 13 behind a South Park Road business for recklessly endangering the welfare of children, firearm violations and drug violations.
According to reports, Joseph Verdin, 39, who is listed as homeless, and Megan Atchinson, 19, of 2872 South Park, South Park, were parked behind 2940 South Park Road, in the early morning hours of Aug. 13. Because of the time and the fact that the vehicle was parked at the far end of the parking lot, police went to investigate, according to Detective Lance Mattes of the Bethel Park police. He said the pair were in the process of smoking marijuana and there was a handgun sitting on the driver’s side of the vehicle. Further investigation found multiple handguns in the truck of the vehicle. Mattes declined to say how many handguns were found in the trunk.
Both Verdin and Atchinson were taken to the Allegheny County Jail. Atchinson was released on non-monetary bail. Verdin remains at the jail on a $5,000 cash bond.
Custody of the baby girl, who belongs to Atchinson, was given to her grandmother, according to police.