Update 9/19/24 - Nikolas and Helen Harris pleaded guilty and have been sentenced to five years of supervised probation.

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. — A couple from Florida has been arrested in Camden County after fleeing from child abuse and drug charges in Florida.

According to a press release from the Camden County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), Nikolas Adam Harris and Helen Elizabeth Harris were arrested on April 12. Both have been charged with possession of a controlled substance, and two counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child involving drugs.

The U.S. Marshals Service contacted CCSO on April 12 for assistance locating two missing children from Escambia County, Florida.

An investigation by authorities in Florida had revealed the children were being inhumanely restrained and drugs were being made in the home where the two were squatting. Before law enforcement could seize the children per a court order, Nikolas and Helen Harris fled from Florida.

U.S. Marshals tracked the parents to Missouri and later located Nikolas and Helen at a residence on Channel Buoy Drive.

A probable cause statement shows CCSO deputies searched the residence and found a blue canvas bag containing glass pipes and a small pill bottle containing a bag of a white powder substance. Two pipes field tested positive for methamphetamine.

In addition to the drugs and paraphernalia, law enforcement found a separate bag containing sex toys in the bedroom where kids' clothing and toys were found.

The release states that the children were turned over to the Missouri Children's Division, who are coordinating with Flordia authorities to take them to a safe place in an undisclosed location.

News Source : https://www.ozarksfirst.com/top-stories/florida-couple-accused-of-child-abuse-arrested-in-camden-county/