San Diego County

Couple, Baby Escape Burning Poway Home With More Than 100 Pot Plants Inside

A Poway couple was arrested and their baby was taken into protective custody Sunday after a house fire revealed there were illegal marijuana plants, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said.

Deputies say there were more than 100 marijuana plants growing in three bedrooms of the home on Amso Street. The neighborhood is east of Pomerado Road and south of Palomar Medical Center Poway.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call of what sounded like an explosion around 4 a.m.

A woman, later identified as Haydee Moe, was seen running out of the house while carrying an infant, deputies said. Her husband, later identified as David Hennessy, was inside the home, battling the flames.

Hennessy left the home but then attempted to run back into the fire, deputies said. He was taken into custody and transported to Pomerado Hospital for evaluation.

After putting out the fire, the deputies discovered the marijuana plants inside the home. They were in various stages of growth, deputies said. 

The couple was charged with child endangerment.

"There was a large volume of highly concentrated, toxic, and flammable fertilizers and plant nutrients that were inside of the house and in reach of the child," San Diego County Sheriff's Department spokesperson Ryan Keim said. "There was also a significant risk of fire with all the electrical equipment code violations present."

The husband was also charged with possession and cultivating marijuana with the intent to sell. 

Keim said the suspects refused to say if they possessed medical marijuana cards. 

However, he said, even if they did the quantity of marijuana is well above an allowable amount for personal use. 

The 1-year-old infant was taken into protective custody and released to the Polinsky Center. 

β€œMy first thought is they put the infant's life in danger,” said neighbor Shari Foster. β€œI hope the baby [has] a place to stay where it's very safe.”

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