Police say father fed meth to his child

WEST CHESTER >> A Honey Brook man and his wife who authorities said forced at least one of their minor children to take crystal methamphetamine have been arrested.

Harold Nuse, 43, and his wife, Brandy Nuse, of 47 Egan Circle, were arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of children, criminal conspiracy, drug delivery and other offenses.

The investigation began Dec. 24, 2018, when troopers were in a Walmart parking lot in West Sadsbury Township at 3:45 a.m. conducting a DUI stop and noticed a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado parked but running in the parking lot.

Troopers saw three young children in the back seat of the truck in near-freezing temperature. Troopers later determined that the truck had been running for more than an hour.

In plain view troopers saw a 9 mm pistol on the center console. The ammunition for the pistol was above the front visor.

The children, all boys, were ages 11, 8, and 6. The boys were asleep. When the troopers woke them up, the boys told troopers that they did not know where their parents were or when they would be coming back.

At approximately 4:15 a.m., Nuse and his wife exited the Walmart and returned to the Silverado. They told troopers that they were shopping in the Walmart. Both were arrested and the children turned over to family members.

Brandy Nuse is the mother and caretaker of all three boys. Harold Nuse is not the biological father of the boys.

After Brandy and Harold Nuse failed to make bail, the children were given to their maternal aunt. The children disclosed details of neglect to their aunt, who immediately notified law enforcement.

The boys were then interviewed by the Chester County Detectives Child Abuse Unit, together with state police.

One of the boys said that Harold Nuse had been feeding him crystal methamphetamine on at least five occasions. He said he took him to a shed located at

47 Egan Circle, and made him stick a chunk of crystal meth under his tongue and waited for it to dissolve.

The child told authorities it was white in color and looked like a “weird gem,” and that it did not taste good. He told police that he and Harold Nuse were alone in the shed, and that he was fed crystal meth five

times. The boy said that when he spit it out, his father would continue to put it back in his mouth.

Brandy Nuse has been charged as a co-conspirator.

“Unfortunately, crystal meth has been making a comeback in southeastern Pennsylvania,” said Tom Hogan, Chester County District Attorney. “Heroin dealers are now pushing their clients to crystal meth. This is a trend that law enforcement will have

to address, as crystal meth use can lead to violent and irrational behavior.”

Bail was set at $75,000 cash. The defendant has been committed to Chester County Prison.

This case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and Chester County Detectives. The assigned prosecutor is Deputy District Attorney Megan King. Anyone with any further information is urged to contact Trooper Aaron Botts at 610-486-6280.

Harold Nuse