Did a meth lab put a 91-year old woman in the hospital? (Utah)

63-year old Michael McKane had come back home to live with his mother about a year ago. South Jordan police suspect that during his time in her home, he set up a methamphetamine cooking operation.

Thursday evening, police arrested McKane and search the home in full hazmat gear. They did not find an active meth lab, but Police Chief Dan Pearson says, "We have evidence in the home that we believe he was involved in doing some cooking and that he is in possession of methamphetamines."

Over the last few weeks, police received reports of an extremely strong chemical smell coming from the home. "Strong enough that could bring tears to your eyes," says Chief Pearson. "So were very concerned about respiratory issues and those kinds of things with a 91-year old lady could be very bad."

The 91-year old mother who remains unidentified is in Cottonwood Hospital in what Chief Pearson characterized as "very serious condition".

He says, "Whether or not this [meth lab] is related to the condition of the mother we do not know. But we do know that her health had been very good prior to him moving into the home."

For now, McKane is booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on a charge of possession of meth. If his mother were to die and if it was established that the dangerous chemicals of a meth lab contributed to her death, Chief Pearson says they would pursue murder charges against McKane.

Story by: Brent Hunsaker
brent@abc4.tv

http://www.abc4.com/local_news/local_headlines/story.aspx?content_id=F9811522-764C-468C-8121-BE8DF6F1D545