Dad Brought Kids Along for Drug Deal, Police Say

A 29-year-old Croydon father of two is facing child endangerment charges after Bensalem Police said he brought his 3- and 5-year-old kids along to a drug exchange at Parx Casino.

Ryan J. Werts, of the 200 block of Neshaminy Street, was arrested and charged with a felony count of drug possession with intent to deliver, as well as misdemeanor charges of endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person.

Police allege Werts agreed to the hand-to-hand drug transaction with an undercover police officer because co-defendant Nicole Rumsey, 21, of the 5800 block of Watson Avenue in Bristol, “was tired of getting robbed by other customers,” according to the affidavit of probable cause. 
   
Rumsey, who, according to police, admitted to being a drug dealer, was in the car with Werts during the alleged drug deal on Nov. 20 in the parking lot of Parx Casino. 

She was arrested and charged with felony counts of drug possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility, as well as misdemeanor offenses of endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person.

Following the alleged sale of 20 percocet pills for $500, police said Werts was pulled over and an officer detected a "strong odor of burnt marijuana" coming from inside the vehicle. 

He later admitted to authorities that the marijuana was his and that he had his children in the car "because he couldn't find a babysitter," according to court documents. 

Werts and Rumsey are both free after each posting $10,000 unsecured bail. They await preliminary hearings tentatively scheduled for next week.